The Sunday Mail
ZIFA technical director Wilson Mutekede will Wednesday lead a quintet of Zimbabwean coaches that will attend a Masterclass coaching workshop being organised by Spanish top-flight body LaLiga and COSAFA as part of efforts to develop football coaches in the Southern African region.
Mutekede will front the Zimbabwean crew that also includes Dynamos gaffer Tonderai Ndiraya, Triangle’s Taurai Mangwiro, senior Women’s national team mentor Sithetheliwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda and unheralded Women Under-17 coach Irene Mwanza
The ZIFA technical director said COSAFA had initially reserved three slots for the association but he had pleaded to have the number increased to five which ensured that apart from Mangwiro oand Sibanda who are also coaching instructors, Warriors assistant Ndiraya and Mwanza would also be accommodated.
“COSAFA and LaLiga have a strong relationship that also includes a provision for outstanding players from COSAFA tournaments being invited to LaLiga.
“Last year COSAFA also held some regional courses for women where some of our coaching instructors like Kwinji 15 (Sibanda) attended.
“For this one COSAFA initially wanted just three but as TDs in the region we pleaded with them and they agreed to increase it to five.
“In choosing our representatives, we also looked at capacity in terms of those that can represent us well as the ZOOM workshops are very engaging and highly interactive,’’ Mutekede said.
Spain’s LaLiga has a reputation for developing some of the brightest young stars in global football with a philosophy that is backed by leading coaches who have honed their methods over many decades in the game.
Now LaLiga will be sharing this expertise and know-how with coaches in the COSAFA region, as well as guests from Ethiopia, in the coming weeks with a series of virtual workshops for both male and female tacticians.
The workshops are another step forward in a partnership between LaLiga and that was formalised last year and has already seen tangible results.
The Masterclass sessions aimed at grassroots coaches will be conducted by Juan Florit, Head of LaLiga Football Programs, and Saúl Vázquez Chas, LaLiga Senior Specialist in Football Projects Development.
These will focus on training methodology and will shine a light on best practises in how to structure sessions. These workshops will take place on April 21 and May 5.
There will also be sessions for professional coaches to be held on April 28 and May 12 that touch on the preparation of squads for international competitions and the development of grassroots squads.
“We are delighted that LaLiga will share their expertise with our coaches across the region and recognise that this is a magnificent opportunity for those taking part to learn from the very best,” said COSAFA secretary-general Sue Destombes said.
“When we signed our partnership agreement with LaLiga in 2020, one of our major focusses was the development of our coaches. The quality of coaching does directly impact the calibre of players you will produce. The goal of all of us in the Southern African region is to develop world-class players in men’s and women’s football.”
Marcos Pelegrin, LaLiga South Africa managing director, said the workshops are a big step forward in the relationship between his organisation and COSAFA.
“It is always a pleasure for LaLiga to develop projects with our partner COSAFA, focused this time on developing football for local coaches. We are extremely proud to see how our collaboration can impact football in so many countries at the same time,” Pelegrin said. “This is a milestone for both organisations, and we are looking forward to the feedback we will received from the coaches across the region.”
Florit is also looking forward to interacting with coaches in Southern Africa and Ethiopia.
“LaLiga is always thrilled to share its experience and knowledge with colleagues from other countries,” he says. “This time, we are excited to be part of this platform that will provide 70 grassroots coaches and 14 professional coaches an opportunity to know more about how we train football in Spain. We hope they can implement some of these new ideas and concepts to their teams, both in amateur and professional clubs.” – Sports Reporter/cosafa.com
