EFA secures international coaching exchange

LOBAMBA – Eswatini Football Association (EFA) President Peter ‘Samora’ Simelane has announced new benefits for local coaches.

It is understood that coaches will be attached to an undisclosed country, where they will be equipped with extra knowledge to boost their coaching skills and keep up with the latest trends.  This publication questioned him about the name of this highly-rated country. Regardless, Simelane remained tight-lipped about the name of this unnamed country, but indicated he would reveal it within two weeks, along with finer details regarding the coach selection criteria. He was delivering his remarks during the official closing ceremony of the EFA Basic Coaching Course Phase 1. The event was held at the EFA Technical Centre yesterday.

The coaching course started on Monday and featured at least 18 coaches. The course also featured one female coach, Veli Hlophe. “New technologies in coaching are also a must considering the specific nature of the game. To this end, we have now entered into a co-operation agreement with one of the leading countries in football, which will see some technical and coaching exchange programmes,” Simelane said.

Simelane further lauded the participants for their completion of this course. “To you coaches, you must, therefore, not be overawed by the situations you will face practically on the field. You need to remain humble, seek guidance, remain confident of reaching greater heights and, most importantly, continue to work hard,” he added.

Meanwhile, FIFA Technical Expert and Mentor Francis Mogashoa said such programmes were mandatory to improve the standard of play. Mogashoa was presented with a Sihlangu replica and part of traditional regalia. “So what I am here for is a coaching education programme. Specifically, to improve the quality of coach educators who will grow further and improve the quality of coaching. These coaches will go and improve the quality of the players and, at the end of it all, we expect to see it on the pitch when it matters most. We can be like this, but the pitch is the ultimate,” Mogashoa shared his remarks.