First Module of FIFA-Supported All-Women CAF C Coaching Course Concludes Successfully

The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has successfully concluded the first module of its FIFA-supported All-Women CAF C Coaching Course, marking another important milestone in the Association’s commitment to developing women leaders in football.

The week-long programme, held from 13 to 19 July at ZIFA Village, brought together 30 aspiring female coaches from across Zimbabwe as they embarked on the next stage of their coaching journey under the FIFA Coach Education Scholarship Programme.

The course forms part of FIFA’s global initiative to increase the number of qualified female coaches while supporting Member Associations to strengthen technical capacity in women’s football. For ZIFA, it also advances the objectives of the Women’s Football Strategy, particularly under the strategic pillar Striving for Excellence, which prioritises investment in coach education as a key driver of sustainable player and national team development.

The opening ceremony on Monday was presided over by ZIFA Vice President and Chairperson of the ZIFA Women’s Football Committee, Loveness Mukura, who challenged the participants to embrace the opportunity with dedication and a commitment to continuous learning.

Throughout the week, the coaches undertook an intensive programme combining classroom instruction with practical sessions on the field of play. The curriculum covered the fundamental principles of modern football coaching, including planning and delivering training sessions, player development, coaching methodology, game understanding, leadership, communication and creating positive learning environments.

Theory sessions allowed participants to deepen their understanding of the CAF coaching philosophy and contemporary coaching principles, while practical field exercises provided an opportunity to translate classroom concepts into real coaching situations. Participants designed, delivered and evaluated training sessions under the guidance of experienced coach educators, receiving constructive feedback to enhance both their technical knowledge and coaching delivery.

The course was facilitated by ZIFA Technical Director Dominique Niyonzima alongside Mighty Warriors Head Coach Sithethelelwe “Kwinji” Sibanda, a recent graduate of the FIFA Coach Education Diploma and one of the few female CAF Elite Coach Educators on the continent. Their combined expertise ensured a balance between technical instruction, practical application and mentorship throughout the week.

The diversity of the cohort enriched the learning experience, with participants representing every football region in Zimbabwe and coming from a variety of football environments. The class included former Mighty Warriors captains, Olympians, former national team players, coaches from the Zimbabwe Women’s Premier Soccer League, Division One and provincial leagues, schools football, BancABC Roots Impact Programme provincial teams and members of national team technical structures.

Having all previously completed their CAF D Licence, the participants demonstrated both enthusiasm and professionalism as they progressed through the demands of the CAF C curriculum, sharing experiences and learning from one another in an environment that encouraged collaboration and continuous improvement.

The first module concluded on Friday afternoon with ZIFA First Vice President Kennedy Ndebele and General Secretary Yvonne Manwa joining participants and instructors for the closing session, where they congratulated the coaches on successfully completing the opening phase of the programme and encouraged them to remain committed as they prepare for the remaining modules in the coming months.

Reflecting on the successful conclusion of the week, ZIFA Vice President Loveness Mukura said the course represented a significant investment in the future of Zimbabwean football.

“This programme is about building a sustainable future for women’s football by empowering women with the knowledge, confidence and qualifications to lead from the technical area. We are proud to see women from every region of Zimbabwe embracing this opportunity, and we believe they will become role models who inspire the next generation of players and coaches. This is another important step towards achieving our vision of excellence in women’s football.”

The successful completion of the first module reinforces ZIFA’s determination to create clear coaching pathways for women while increasing the number of qualified female coaches across the country.

As the participants prepare for the next stages of the CAF C Licence programme, they do so equipped with new knowledge, practical experience and a shared commitment to raising coaching standards within their clubs, schools, communities and national football structures.

Through initiatives such as the FIFA Coach Education Scholarship Programme, ZIFA continues to invest in the people who will shape the future of Zimbabwean football, ensuring that women are increasingly represented not only on the field of play but also in the technical areas where the game’s future is developed.

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