7 June 2024 – SAFA House on Friday hosted the closing ceremony for the CAF A Diploma Coaching Course.

The coaches started the course from last November 2023 culminating in the graduation ceremony this week.

The 25 candidates were honoured during a colourful ceremony attended by SAFA Vice President Linda Zwane, SAFA NEC member and SAFA Ekurhuleni President Job Mchunu, SAFA CEO Lydia Monyepao and CAF’s Head of Football Muhammad Sidat.

This was the first Diploma for elite coaches in South Africa after seven years of inactivity due to various reasons.

Candidates expressed their gratitude to the mother body SAFA for finally conducting the course, and will now wait for the announcement of the CAF Pro License that many of them said they are eager to enrol in.

“I am so glad to have finally attained my CAF A License,” said Grant de Smidt. “I have waited for this since 2015 and I’m really happy to have been part of this amazing group of coaches.

“It has been a very taxing 7 months of many sleepless nights, group assignments and a lot of debating amongst us as coaches, but it has been worth it because today has finally arrived,” added de Smidt.

CAF Coach Instructors Steve Coetsee and Conti Kubheka were also awarded for their 25 years contribution to South African Football and Coach Education.