A total of 25 coaches began their six-month CAF A Diploma coaching course on Tuesday 11th June 2024 at FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru. It was then officially opened by FUFA CEO Edgar Watson who was the Chief Guest on Saturday.
The course is the first one under Caf coaching convention launched in 2019. The convention is a set of guidelines developed by each of the 6 confederations standardizing all aspects of course management. The Member association (FUFA) has to work on a set of requirements for the confederation (CAF) to examine and approve before authorizing the association to proceed with course organization. This operates at levels of CAF C, B, A and Pro Diplomas.
Watson reiterated FUFA’s commitment to embrace coaching education and capacity building for coaches as part of 2023-2030 FUFA Technical Masterplan. He stressed the Federation’s vision to make Uganda the best footballing nation on and off the field in Africa.
In his remarks, Watson also re-echoed one of FUFA’s mission statement “to protect the game for all” and strongly warned the coaches against prevailing vices undermining integrity of the game.
“FUFA has done so many things around governance, and through the guidance of the FUFA President, the Federation has now turned its focus on the real issues that occur on the field. That exactly was the President’s vision in formulation of the Technical Plan. When we talk about issues on the field, we mean coaching, players, medical and everything that operates around the pitch,” he started.
“As FUFA, we want Uganda to be the number one footballing nation on and off the field in Africa, and you are the key stakeholders to ensure we succeed on the field. But we still think there is a lot to do about the results on the field and that is where you the coaches are a key stakeholder in developing the game and putting us at the top level.’ Watson explained.
“There is also a vice of match manipulation that is coming into our game and coaches are potential targets of match fixers. We are trying so much to fight it, and it is a big fight with the help of the sports law, global partners and FIFA. You are called upon to recognize, resist and report and element suspicious that may come your way in the fight against match manipulation”
The course is part of FUFA’s initiative to ensure that there are more highly qualified coaches handling teams from grassroot to professional level and it’s currently the CAF’s benchmark to coach in its Interclub competition that is CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup.
The comprehensive course consists of three modules that are divided into seven blocks and will span over a period of six months.
According to Ali Mwebe, the FUFA Football Development Director, this course is the second-highest level of certification offered by CAF, with the prestigious CAF Pro License standing as the highest attainable level on the continent.
“The new convention of CAF came in 2019. It’s a set of guidelines standardizing the way courses are done and it’s with in this that you have to tick a few things to be allowed to organize courses at different levels ,” said Mwebe.
He further stressed that;
“When it came, we worked around the clock to fulfill the requirements within that convention. In 2019, we fulfilled requirements and did CAF C. We were very proud but also aware of the long journey ahead of us to attain further levels. We therefore embarked on the agenda to fulfill requirements of CAF B in 2021, which consequently came in 2022.
“We strategized again to embark on the requirements for CAF A and the target was 2024. So, I am happy and very proud to stand before you, witnessing the CEO opens this course that is core in our technical master plan in the areas of elite coaching development”
For the entire duration of 6 months, up to 8 facilitators will take the student coaches into various units of the course comprising practical and theory element throughout the 240hrs of the course.
The areas of learning include
Football Knowledge (Technical/tactical)
Teaching methodology (Technical/Tactical)
Leadership/Management (specialized)
Football physiology and anatomy (specialized)
Football science and nutrition (Specialized)
Laws of the game (specialized)
Media management (Specialized)
Kenyan International and CAF Coach Instructor Francis Kimanzi Mbindyo is leading the module of the course which involves block 1 and block 2.
In attendance of the course are a number of Uganda Premier League and FUFA Women Super League head coaches and other international coaches.
List of participants
Brian Sseyondo -Kitara FC (Uganda)
Kikomeko Abbey Bogere – BUL FC (Uganda)
Muhumuza Fred – Vipers SC (Uganda)
Ngabo Pius – UPDF (Uganda)
Luyinda John – Wakiso Giants (Uganda)
Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi – Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC (Uganda)
Kintu Jimmy Mwera – UCU Lady Cardinals /St. Noa (Uganda)
Kaddu Badru – Buikwe Red Star (Uganda)
Kyesmira Arthur – Edgar’s FC (Uganda)
Senfuma Mohamed – Maroons FC (Uganda)
Kiwanuka Paul – UPDF (Uganda)
Umar Abdallah – Melekia SC (South Sudan)
Michael Nam Ouma – Gor Mahia FC (Kenya)
Ojok Simon Peter -Maroon FC (Uganda)
Mugerwa Simon Peter – Police FC (Uganda)
Momcilo Medic – Flambeau Du Centre (Burundi)
Petros Koukouras – Kiyovu Sports Club (Rwanda)
Alex Gitta – Simba FC (Uganda)
Mukasa Robert – URA FC (Uganda)
Kasule Richard – URA FC (Uganda)
Magera Jackson Kaddu – KCCA FC (Uganda)
Zungu Hassan – Busoga United (Uganda)
Dudu Bosco NEC FC (Uganda)
Ssali Tom – Bright Stars (Uganda)
Magoba Godfrey – UCU lady Cardinals (Uganda)
