ZIFA Strengthens Coach Education Through CAF D Course in Chitungwiza

The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) continues to invest in the future of Zimbabwean football through its nationwide coach education programme, with a CAF D Coaching Course currently underway in Chitungwiza.

Running from 15 to 24 July, the course has attracted 38 aspiring coaches who are being equipped with the knowledge, practical skills and modern coaching principles required to nurture young footballers at grassroots level. The programme is being facilitated by experienced instructor Tafadzwa Mashiri and forms part of ZIFA’s broader commitment to increasing both the quality and quantity of qualified coaches across the country.

Coach education remains one of the Association’s strategic priorities as it seeks to create sustainable player development pathways. By expanding access to CAF-accredited coaching courses, ZIFA is ensuring that more communities have qualified coaches capable of identifying, developing and inspiring the next generation of Zimbabwean football talent.

The emphasis is not only on producing more coaches but on producing better coaches. Modern football demands practitioners who understand player development, safeguarding, sports science, coaching methodology and the values that shape well-rounded athletes. Through the CAF D curriculum, participants receive a strong foundation that prepares them for continued learning and progression through the CAF coaching licence pathway.

Chitungwiza has long been recognised as one of Zimbabwe’s richest football breeding grounds, producing players and coaches who have made significant contributions to the domestic game and beyond. The town has nurtured respected football minds including Wellington Shangiwa, Never Gombera, Casper Mukara, Lloyd Chitembwe, Norman Mapeza, Edmore Ncube and Ralph Kawondera, underlining its reputation as a cradle of football excellence.

Hosting a CAF D Coaching Course in such a football-rich community provides an opportunity to build on that proud legacy while empowering a new generation of coaches to shape the future of the game. As football continues to evolve, the role of qualified coaches becomes increasingly important in creating environments where young players can develop technically, tactically and personally.

Course facilitator Tafadzwa Mashiri praised the enthusiasm and commitment shown by participants.

“It has been encouraging to see the passion and willingness to learn from everyone attending the course. Coach education is the foundation of player development, and by investing in coaches we are investing in the future of Zimbabwean football. We want participants to leave here with knowledge they can immediately apply in their communities while continuing to grow throughout their coaching journey,” said Mashiri.

The Chitungwiza course is one of several CAF D programmes being rolled out across Zimbabwe as ZIFA continues to decentralise coach education and make opportunities available in every region of the country. This approach reflects the Association’s belief that football development must extend beyond the major cities and reach every community where talent exists.

By steadily increasing the number of qualified coaches while maintaining high educational standards, ZIFA is laying the foundations for sustained success. Every course delivered represents another step towards a stronger coaching culture, better player development and a brighter future for Zimbabwean football.

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