A structure that is believed to be the missing link in local football, the South African Football Coaches Association (SAFCA) has been resuscitated and will hold it’s elective congress this coming weekend. Part of its objectives is to better the coaching standards in this country through this forum. Former Banyana Banyana coach Greg Mashilo is the Interim President…

Today’s launch was also attended by two PSL coaches in Bidvest Wits’ Gavin Hunt and Supersport United’s Cavin Johnson and they’ve committed themselves to get this structure off the ground. Hunt one of the highly qualified coaches in the country is excited by this project…

Johnson was the founding member of SAFCA back in 1992 and through the School of Excellence where he started a number of coaches were produced. He sets out what is needed…

With 52 regions, 341 Local Football Associations (LFA’s) Mashilo says the current ratio of qualified coaches and instructors does not add up and they will soon organize seminars where educational forums for coaches will be held…

Part of SAFCA’s focus according to Mashilo is to regulate the influx of foreign coaches coming to the country to coach PSL and NFD teams but it’s still not clear how they will be able to enforce that…

But Hunt holds a different view and feels that this structure should instead focus on helping with coaching education at the lower levels of the game than focus on PSL…

Hunt cut his teeth in coaching in the junior structures in the Western Cape and came through the ranks to coach at Seven Stars and Hellenic before becoming the PSL coach of the season at Black Leopards. The three time league championship winning coach says it’s time to start implementing and forget about theory…

SAFCA is also one of the 12 associate members of SAFA and will have a voting status in next week’s elections where Dr Danny Jordaan comes up against Mandla “Shoes” Mazibuko for the Presidential post. This structure has been dormant for more than 20 years and Mashilo knows that questions will be asked as to whether they are rising from the dead because of elections…Journalist: Velile Mbuli