The SA Football Association (Safa) technical director Walter Steenbok has shed light on Bafana Bafana assistant coach Helman Mkhalele’s qualifications.
This after Mkhalele could not steer the ship at the Cosafa Cup tournament recently, with the latter said to be lacking required coaching badges to sit on the bench.
Standing in for Mkhalele was Jwaneng Galaxy head coach Morena Ramoreboli.
Speaking at the unveiling of the Clive Barker Academy recently, Steenbok said the association will facilitate a course to assist coaches acquire their A-licences.
The course is scheduled for November and Mkhalele will not be eligible to attend unless he has acquired his B-licence.
“The issue of the Bafana Bafana assistant coach [Mkhalele] is very clear, we are opening up in November and if he has a B-licence, he will get on to that course,” Steenbok said.
“If he does not have a B-licence, he will not be on that course. If you check the CAF convention, the requirements are clear, you need a B-licence to get on to the A-licence.
“We have facilitated some of our coaches to cross the border [to complete the CAF A-Licence Diploma] and David Nyathi is one of them. He just completed his C-licence.
“So, if the Bafana assistant coach has the required qualification, then he will be accepted to the programme.”
Steenbok stressed that coaches in the Premier Soccer League and other local football structures should be qualified to sit on the bench, including Mkhalele, who will still be barred from leading Bafana at the next Cosafa if he does not have required qualification.
The technical director also confirmed that Safa will soon be announcing the junior national team coaches – the U-17 and U-20 national team coaches for men.
Bafana will host Namibia on September 9 and DR Congo on September 12, and Mkhalele is expected to be on the dugout alongside coach Hugo Broos.
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