July 26, 2025 • 28 mins
CAF Mandates New Coaching Standards for African Football
This deep dive discusses the Confederation of African Football (CAF) implementing new coaching requirements for national teams and clubs participating in its competitions, requiring CAF A or Pro licenses, or equivalent international certifications. These regulations, aiming to professionalize African football, apply to various tournaments including the AFCON, Champions League, and youth competitions. A grace period until the 2026/2027 season is provided for existing coaches to obtain the necessary qualifications, while newly appointed coaches must already meet the standards to avoid penalties such as stadium access denial and ineligibility to register as team officials. This initiative also connects to broader discussions about improving African football's quality and attracting greater investment to foster talent and infrastructure.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Welcome everyone to the deep dive.
You know, if there's one thing that just absolutely electrifies
people, brings cultures together, it's got to be
football, right? The beautiful game and when we
talk football, I mean the sheer energy, the passion, the the raw
talent that just pours out of Africa, it's undeniable if.
(00:21):
There really is some special. You think about the roar at the
Africa Cup of Nations or you know, the incredible history
producing these world class players who've just dominated
pitches everywhere. George Way, Dragba Itura, Yaya
Toure, the list goes on. Legends Absolute legends of the
game. For sure, African football has
always been this, this force. But you know, even with all that
(00:43):
vibrancy, something feels like it's shifting right now, like a
big change is underway, something that could really
reshape the game there from the ground up.
OK, let's unpack this. There's a tectonic shift
happening in African football, something that promises to
reshape the game from the groundup.
Yeah, there's definitely a lot going on.
So our mission today really is to take a proper deep dive into
the Confederation of African Football CAF.
(01:06):
We really want to zero in on these, well, ambitious new
requirements they set for coaches, understand the impact
they're already having, you know, on the ground.
Right, the immediate effects. Exactly.
But we don't want to stop there.We need to broaden the view,
look at the the bigger picture, the challenges around
investment, development, these systemic things.
(01:27):
Which are huge. Absolutely huge.
And then crucially, pivot to OK.What are the solutions?
What are the strategies being talked about or even put in
place to tackle these hurdles? We want to give you that clear
insider's perspective. Cut through the noise.
Get to the core of what's happening with the future of
football on this incredibly dynamic continent.
Sounds like a plan. It's a complex picture, but
(01:48):
definitely worth exploring, right?
So let's kick things off with the big one.
The thing causing the most immediate ripples?
CKF's recent announcement on coaching.
And we should be clear, this isn't just some minor rule
change. No, not at all.
It feels like a fundamental shift, doesn't it?
A really bold move to well professionalize the sport across
Africa. That's exactly the word for it.
(02:09):
Professionalize. This isn't a suggestion anymore.
It's it's mandatory. If you want to be coaching in AC
half sanctioned competition, youneed the qualifications, period.
It's a deliberate strategy really to make sure the
technical leadership, you know, the coaching meets modern global
standards. So going forward, head coaches,
(02:30):
assistant coaches, they must hold either a CCAF A license or
the top one, the CCAF Pro license.
Cfaer Pro got it. Or, and this is important and
equivalent from another confederation, so if a coach
comes in with say a UEFA Pro License or one from AFC,
CONCACAF, CONMA Ball, ofc, thoseare recognized.
OK, so it accounts for international coaches too?
(02:51):
Exactly. It sets a high bar, a baseline
level of you know, professional competence, tactical
understanding, modern methods. It really elevates the
requirement across the board. And what's the scope here?
Is it just the top top tournaments?
No, and that's what's what's fascinating here, the sheer
breadth of these regulations. It's not just focusing on the
big senior men's tournaments. It signals A commitment to
(03:12):
raising standards at every level.
Every level like youth too. Absolutely.
The list of competitions affected is, well, it's
extensive. You've got both the men's and
women's Africa Cup of Nations. That includes the qualifiers and
the finals. OK, then.
The premier club competitions the Sea CAF Champions League,
the CF Confederation Cup plus the C CAF Super Cup, right the.
(03:35):
Club scene too. And CN the African Nations
Championship, which is crucial because it's for domestic league
players, directly impacting local professionalism.
Interesting point. And like you asked, it doesn't
stop there. It covers youth competitions
too, which is vital for the future.
We're talking men's U17U20U23 afcons.
So the whole pipeline. The whole pipeline.
(03:57):
Women's U-17 and U20 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, The CF Women's
Champions League and even any applicable women's youth club
competitions that might come up.It's a really comprehensive
push, demanding professional standards from grassroots all
the way up. That's that's huge.
It already covers the entire ecosystem.
(04:17):
Is it the same requirement for every single one of those or
does it vary? It varies.
It's tiered actually, which makes sense given the different
demands. So for the men's senior
competitions, that's your AFCON,Shan, Champions League,
Confederation Cup, Super Cup. The head coach needs that top
level CFACF pro or an equivalentPRO license.
OK, top tier for the men's head coaches.
(04:38):
And their assistant coaches aren't far behind.
They need AC half A or an equivalent PRO license too.
So a very high standard for the whole senior men's bench.
Right. What about the women's game?
Similar commitment there for thewomen's senior competitions
AFCON and the women's in Champions League.
The head coach also needs a CFA or equivalent PRO license.
Same standard for the head coach.
Good. The assistant coaches in women's
(04:59):
senior teams need a CAFB or an equivalent PRO license.
Still a significant qualification.
OK. Slightly different for the
assistant and the youth levels. For the youth competitions, both
men's and women's U17U20U23 Afcons World Cup qualifiers, the
head coach needs either ACFB or A or an equivalent, so ensuring
(05:22):
that foundational competence is there.
Right B or A for youth head coaches.
And the assistant coaches in youth need a CFC or a or an
equivalent. This this really detailed
breakdown I just underscores CFScommitment.
They want quality coaching, modern methods, certified
knowledge at every single layer of football development.
Incredibly thorough. You can see there's a real
(05:43):
strategy behind it. Makes it so clear this isn't
just a piece of paper exercise, it's a mandate with real teeth.
Exactly. Which must mean for coaches and
clubs right now, there's a lot of evaluation happening, maybe
scrambling for courses. Definitely it translates into an
urgent need for, well, adaptation.
For many, it's an investment in their own own human capital.
Really. So how is Tech F rolling this
(06:04):
out? Is it immediate?
Is there any kind of transition period?
They've been quite strategic about the timeline.
They understand coaches already in place might need time, so
there is a grace period if a coach was hired before May 4th,
2025. OK.
That specific date is key. Very key.
If they were hired before that, they have until the end of the
(06:24):
20/26/2020 seven season to get the required license.
So roughly 2 years or so. Yeah, a decent window to get
qualified without disrupting things immediately.
However, and this is the crucialbit, there's no grace period for
new appointments. Any coach appointed after May
4th, 2025 must already meet the standards day one.
Wow OK so clubs looking to hire now or in the near future, they
(06:49):
have to find someone already qualified.
Precisely, it puts immediate pressure on recruitment.
You can't just hire based on reputation anymore.
The license is non negotiable for new hires.
And what happens if someone, well, doesn't comply or can't
get the license in time? What are the consequences?
And this is where you see Sick Fisn't messing around.
The consequences are, let's say,severe and immediate.
(07:10):
Like fines, suspensions. It directly impacts their
ability to actually do their job.
First, they'll be denied access to Zone 1 and Zone 2 of stadiums
during CF matches. Zone 1 and 2, that's a technical
area, right Pitch side. Exactly.
The bench, the area around the pitch.
Absolutely essential for coaching during a game.
So no access there. Effectively they can't be on the
(07:33):
bench, can't give instructions from the sideline.
So they're basically coaching from the stands.
Or not coaching at all in effect.
Plus, they won't be eligible to be registered as official team
officials for C CAF competition.That's a big blow
professionally. Huge and they'll be prohibited
from participating in any official team activities linked
to C CAF matches. So completely sidelined.
(07:54):
And in serious or repeat cases they could be referred to CF
judicial bodies. That could mean further
disciplinary action, suspensions, maybe fines too.
OK. The message seems crystal clear.
Then yeah, comply or you're essentially out of continental
football. Unambiguous.
Meet the standard or risk your career, risk your ability to
(08:15):
participate, and the onus is nowfirmly on the clubs in the
national teams to ensure compliance.
It's an organizational responsibility.
Right, it forces their hand too.Absolutely.
And if we connect this to the bigger picture, these penalties
aren't just symbolic. They're designed to force
immediate change and crucially, push everyone, associations,
(08:36):
clubs to finally invest seriously in coaching,
education, infrastructure, not just see it as optional.
That makes sense. That level of detail on the
penalties really hammers home how serious they are.
OK, here's where it gets really interesting.
What's the vision here? What's really driving this
massive push for higher standards?
Is it just about ticking boxes or is there something deeper for
(08:57):
African football? Oh, it's absolutely deeper.
It's fundamentally about transforming the coaching
landscape on the continent, elevating it to global.
Standards. Exactly.
Aligning with global norms, professionalizing the whole
coaching profession. The core idea is pretty
straightforward if teams are LEDby properly qualified competent
coaches using modern methods. The quality of football
improves. The quality of football improves
(09:19):
significantly. Better tactics, better player
development. It's not just about formations,
it's about fostering that culture of, you know, continuous
learning, sports science, developing the player as a
whole, moving away from maybe adhoc methods to something more
systematic, more evidence based.Right, it's about building
sustainable success. Precisely.
(09:39):
It's about the long term development and growth of the
sport itself. CAF is actively encouraging
everyone, federation's clubs, coaches to really get behind
this, to see it as a vital contribution to the future of
African football. It's not just raising the bar,
it's about building a future where African football is
consistently competitive, admired globally.
(09:59):
Which is the ultimate goal, isn't it?
Absolutely. But, you know, this raises an
important question. How quickly can the continent
actually adapt to such a huge immediate shift?
And what are the stories we're already seeing?
How was this playing out in the real world?
Yeah, that's the crucial part. A theory sounds good, but how
does it translate on the ground?It's like you said, a real
coaching Crucible. Are we seeing clubs and coaches
(10:22):
already making moves? We definitely are.
It's already having a tangible impact.
Take Gavin Hunt in South Africa,the coach of Super Sport United.
He's very experienced, holds a UEFA license which is a high
level qualification. Right.
Highly respected. But under these new rules for
the C Half Confederation Cup, he's proactively going to do a
(10:42):
specific C half course to ensurehe complies even with his UEFA
A. Interesting.
So CF is really emphasizing its own licenses.
It seems so, and his CEO StanleyMatthews has publicly said
they'll make sure he gets it, even if they have to send him to
a course in another country because South Africa hasn't had
many recently. Well.
That shows the level of commitment required.
Significant time resource. It really does.
(11:04):
It's not trivial. Then there's a great example
from Uganda Maroons FC. They just appointed a new head
coach, Umar Abdallah. Why?
Because he has the CFA license. He replaced Mohamedson Fuma who
had AC CAF B. So a direct consequence of the
licensing rules. Exactly, They needed to comply
with the FUFA club licensing, which is already aligned with
(11:27):
these higher CF standards for their domestic league.
Sanfuma, who'd done well there for three years, actually moved
to assistant coach. So it shows how clubs are having
to strategically adjust their staff, maybe move people around
to meet the rules. A pragmatic solution, keeping
his experience but complying. Right.
And it's not all scramble either.
Some coaches were already compliant.
(11:48):
Callisto Pursua at FCB Nyasa Bullets, He has AC Paff a
Brendan Truder at Sekukuni United.
Also see Cafe Jose Rivero at Orlando Pirates.
He's got the UEFA Pro License, which is recognized.
We're ahead of the curve. Some were definitely prepared,
showing that investment in coaching education was already
happening, just maybe not universally.
But there must be challenges too, right?
(12:09):
Especially for maybe foreign coaches.
Yes, definitely. Expatriate coaches are a key
group affected. Someone might have a UEFA A be a
very good coach, but if their team qualifies for AC calf
competition, they might suddenlyfind themselves needing that
specific C calf equivalent. Like WHO?
Any examples? Well, there's mention of Peter
Dejong at Silver Strikers, Mark Harrison at Mighty Mukuru
(12:31):
Wanderers and Malawi both have UEFA A if their teams get into C
calf tournaments they face that issue.
Silver Striker Secretary even seemed to be downplaying their C
CAF ambitions, perhaps because of this hurdle.
So it could even influence whether clubs want to compete
continentally. It could certainly be a factor
in their planning and budgeting and we've seen this bite before,
(12:54):
even under previous maybe less stringent rules.
Coaches like Dan Melissela, CaboZongo, Eric Tinkler, back when
he was with Cape Town City, they've all had spells where
they had to sit in the stands during C CAF games because they
didn't have the right license atthat.
Moment, right? I remember that with Tinkler
stuck in the stands, unable to coach directly.
Exactly. Leaving the team without their
(13:14):
main tactical leader on the touchline.
So what's fascinating here is just how immediate and real the
impact is. It's changing careers, club
strategies, backroom setups. Right now it's not abstract,
it's forcing change. It really is compelling to see
those real world effects. So OK, if everyone suddenly
needs these higher licenses, what about the supply side?
(13:35):
Are there enough courses? Is the education infrastructure
there to meet this sudden surge in demand, or is it creating a
bottleneck? That is absolutely critical
question. You can't just demand
qualifications without providingthe pathway to get them.
And well, the picture is mixed. But there are efforts underway.
Like what? Like in South Africa, Safa just
(13:55):
hosted its first See Half a license course since 2017.
Wow, the first in six years. Yeah, which tells you something
about the previous gap, right? So this recent course running
from late 2023 to mid 2024 in Johannesburg was hugely
significant. 25 coaches participated.
Who was on it? Any big name?
A real mix. You had current PSL coaches like
(14:16):
Gavin Hunt, Eric Tinkler who knows first hand the pain of not
having it, Steve Barker, plus a lot of former top players
transitioning into coaching likeJabalani Mendu, Godfrey Sapula,
Sailor Shabala. They're all working to get up to
speed. That's great to see that mix of
experience and former players investing in education.
Definitely, and SOFAS technical director Walter Steenbach.
(14:37):
He spoke about how crucial coaching education is.
He called it the cornerstone of development, essential for
getting African coaches aligned with international standards.
Modern Trends. So the federation's are
recognizing they need to step upand provide these courses.
They have to. It's about enabling the change,
not just enforcing it. They're also bringing in top
(14:57):
coaches to share knowledge. Rouhani Maquina from Sundowns,
who just won the African Football League.
He was a guest speaker at that SOFA course, sharing elite level
insights. That adds real value.
Practical current knowledge. Exactly.
But look, while these new standards are vital for coaching
quality, this raises an important question.
Are better coaching licenses on their own enough?
(15:20):
Are they enough to fix the deeper problems holding African
football back globally? Yeah, that's the crux of it,
isn't it? It feels like we're pulling on a
thread here. If we connect this to the bigger
picture, the coaching rules are maybe necessary but not
sufficient. I think that's a fair
assessment. They're addressing one part,
maybe even a symptom of a largerissue, because when you look
(15:41):
deeper, many argue there's a more fundamental problem, a
serious ongoing crisis of investment in African football.
You're absolutely right to make that connection.
It's complex and honestly sometimes quite dispiriting when
you look at the potential versusthe reality.
Africa has this incredibly rich football history, right?
Leagues over 50 years old. Passionate local rivalries.
(16:05):
And that production line of global stars we mentioned
earlier? Exactly.
An unbelievable track record of producing talent that shines on
the world stage. But despite all that, the
heritage, the talent pool, the continent wide passion, there's
this troubling trend. A decline in, let's say,
consistent elite output and critically, a decline in
meaningful strategic investment.And that impacts everything else
(16:27):
down the line. Everything it impacts
development, infrastructure, competitiveness, its ability to
consistently punch at its weightglobally.
So what are the signs? How does this decline actually,
you know, manifest itself? Well, there are a few clear
interconnected indicators. First, look at performances in
big international tournaments, right?
We remember the highs, don't we?Cameroon in 1990, Nigeria in the
(16:49):
90s, Ghana almost making the World Cup semis in 2010.
Those moments electrified everyone.
They really did showcase the potential.
But recently, yeah, feels like astruggle.
Teams failing to even qualify for the World Cup, even big
nations having disappointing Afcons, maybe not getting out of
the group stages. Performances often seem well
(17:11):
lacking compared to the past. Yeah, that inconsistency is
noticeable. And that lack of consistent
success, it reduces visibility, right?
Makes it harder to attract sponsors, investors.
It becomes a cycle. A vicious cycle, exactly.
Poor results lead to less interest, leads to less money,
leads to poorer preparation and facilities, which leads back to
poor results. And you can link those poor
(17:32):
results to tangible things, sometimes inadequate tactical
prep compared to European or South American teams, often a
lack of modern infrastructure, training pitches, gyms, sports
science support, and sadly, sometimes administrative issues
within federation's mismanagement, even corruption
can directly hurt team performance.
OK, so international performanceis 1 indicator.
(17:53):
What else? 2nd, and this is really
worrying, is the sense that there are fewer new African
superstars breaking through and dominating in the very top
European leagues. Interesting point.
We still see talented players, obviously, but maybe not that
steady stream of truly global icons like Drogba or Edible
were. Exactly the pipeline seems less
(18:13):
abundant, less consistent in producing those absolute world
beaters who become household names globally.
And this isn't just about vanity.
Those players are crucial ambassadors.
Their success lifts the profile of the entire continent's
football. So why is that happening?
Is it talent identification? Youth Development.
It's likely a combination of factors.
Scouting networks might be inadequate, maybe still relying
(18:35):
on old methods, not enough data,not reaching remote areas
effectively. Youth development programs are
often chronically underfunded, lack of quality facilities, not
enough qualified youth coaches. Even basic equipment can be
missing. So the raw talent is there, but
it's not being nurtured properly.
That's the argument. Plus you have broader
socioeconomic issues, political instability in some regions,
(18:57):
poverty. These things create huge hurdles
for young players just trying todevelop, get education, proper
nutrition, security. It makes their path incredibly
difficult. And when you have fewer stars
shining brightly in the Premier League or La Liga, it diminishes
the global appeal, makes it harder to attract investment
back home. OK, performance, player
pipeline. What's the third indicator?
(19:19):
The 3rd, and maybe the root of the others, is just insufficient
investment across the board fromalmost everyone you could think
of. FIFA could potentially invest
more strategically. Local clubs often lack the
resources or professional structures, governments
frequently of other very pressing priorities, and private
businesses, both local and international, seem hesitant.
(19:42):
And how does that lack of money show up on the ground?
In very obvious ways. Grumbling stadiums or just basic
training fields. Inadequate facilities, No modern
gyms, no video analysis rooms. Not enough money for clubs to
pay players decent professional wages, or invest in sports
science, or even cover travel costs comfortably.
(20:02):
Mix hard to run a professional operation.
Extremely hard, yeah. How do you develop talent
sustainably without those basics?
How do you create exciting, competitive domestic leagues if
clubs are struggling financially?
It all connects. And this lack of investment also
affects the quality of local leagues, which then impacts the
national teams. And you mentioned corruption and
mismanagement earlier. That must scare investors off,
(20:23):
too. Massively If potential investors
see a lack of transparency, if they worry funds meant for youth
development might disappear, if political interference overrides
merit, why would they invest? They need accountability, good
governance. Complex bureaucracy can also be
a deterrent. Right.
Add that to the general economicchallenges many African nations
(20:44):
face. Exactly.
Governments and businesses mighthave very legitimate reasons to
prioritize healthcare, education, infrastructure over
football. It creates that perfect storm,
that vicious cycle we talked about.
No investment, poor results, less visibility, even less
investment. What's fascinating and frankly
frustrating is how tangled up all these issues are.
(21:05):
Lack of money directly hurts coaching, infrastructure, youth
development, which hurts performance, which makes it
harder to get money. It's a tough not to untangle.
Wow, that paints a really clear,if quite sobering picture of the
systemic challenges. But you know, hearing all that,
the scale of the potential feelseven bigger if these issues can
be addressed. The potential is astronomical.
(21:26):
Absolutely astronomical. So what does this all mean for
turning the tide? It sounds daunting, but what are
the practical steps? What's the blueprint for
unlocking this potential and breaking that cycle?
Well, the good news is, despite how big the challenges look, the
potential is real and there is apath forward.
It requires a really comprehensive, strategic and
coordinated approach. You can think about it in maybe
(21:49):
2 main phases, building the essential foundations and then
actively fueling growth and boosting visibility.
OK, foundations first what needsto be built?
Right, the non negotiables 1st. A real strategic plan, not just
a document that sits on a shelf.A detailed long term blueprint.
For the whole continent or country by country.
Ideally overarching principles from CF, but implemented with
(22:12):
specific tailored plans within each country or region.
This plan needs clear, measurable goals for everything
upgrading infrastructure, transforming youth academies,
improving coaching, tying back to the new CF rules, and
ensuring leagues and clubs can actually be financially stable.
And who needs to be involved in creating?
Everyone governments, private sector, international bodies
(22:33):
like FIFA and CAF, local federations, clubs.
Critically, this plan must tackle governance head on.
Transparency, accountability, independent oversight, anti
corruption measures. These are essential to build
trust, especially with investors.
OK, strategic plan with strong governance, What's pillar #2?
Youth Development. This has to be the absolute
(22:55):
bedrock, investing seriously andconsistently in grassroots
football and building high quality youth academies.
What does high quality look likein this context?
It means partnerships linking upwith successful academies
globally, Europe, South America to bring in expertise, modern
training methods, maybe exchangeprograms for coaches and
players. It means creating proper, well
(23:16):
organized local youth leagues sokids get regular competitive
game. Not just occasional tournaments.
Exactly. Consistent competition, and it
means a holistic curriculum. Technical skills, yes, but also
physical conditioning tactics, psychology education, making
sure these kids develop as people, not just players.
And imagine the impact of getting former stars, legends
(23:37):
involved as mentors. Yeah.
That would be powerful, passing on that experience.
Hugely powerful 3rd foundationalpillar scouting and talent ID.
We talked about the talent pipeline issue.
Right. Finding the talent that's out
there, but maybe hidden. Precisely building robust modern
scouting networks that cover thewhole continent using
technology, video analysis, data, performance tracking to
(23:59):
make it more objective, more efficient.
Running regular talent ID camps,tournaments and really building
relationships with local clubs, schools, communities to find
talent everywhere, inclusively. Talent is everywhere, tunity
isn't got to bridge that gap. OK, plan youth development
scouting. That feels like a solid base.
(24:19):
It's the essential groundwork. But then this raises an
important question. How do you pay for all this?
How do you sustain it financially and make sure the
world actually sees the results?Exactly.
Building it is one thing, funding it and getting it
noticed is another. How do you fuel that growth and
visibility? Right.
So building on that foundation, you need that two pronged
approach. First, secure, sustainable
(24:39):
finance and sustainable is the keyword.
Not just one off injections of cash.
No, it means attracting diverse funding streams, corporate
sponsorships, big industries like telecoms, banking,
consistent government funding where possible, international
grants from FIFA development banks and clubs and leagues need
(25:00):
to get creative with their own revenue.
Beyond just ticket sales. Way beyond modern merchandising,
better match day experiences, hospitality and crucially,
negotiating strong transparent broadcasting deals, both
traditional TV and digital streaming.
Digital seems key now. Absolutely key for reaching a
global younger audience. But underpinning all of this,
(25:22):
financial transparency and accountability.
Investors need to see where the money is going and that it's
being used effectively. Building partnerships with
international clubs can also bring in cash and expertise.
And again, tackling corruption and bureaucracy makes the whole
environment more attractive for investment.
You need a sophisticated marketing strategy too.
Selling the story, the passion, the potential.
(25:43):
OK. So diverse funding transparency,
smart commercialization. What's the other prong for
growth? Leveraging media and technology.
This isn't optional anymore. It's essential for survival and
growth. You have to increase the global
visibility of African football. How better TV deals?
Yes, but think bigger. Aggressively pursue digital
streaming platforms, partner with major global broadcasters.
(26:07):
Make it easy for fans anywhere in the world to watch African
Leagues CAF competitions. Reach the diaspora.
Reach new fans. Exactly.
And use social media relentlessly, engage fans, build
communities online, use platforms like TikTok, WhatsApp,
Facebook where the audience already is, especially within
Africa. Create compelling content, not
just highlights but behind the scenes.
(26:28):
Access Player Stories Cultural features tell the unique story
of African football. Make it more than just the 90
minutes on the pitch. Precisely Develop mobile apps,
interactive websites, collaborate with international
media influencers, change the narrative, showcase the talent,
the passion, the innovation. If we connect this to the bigger
picture, these solutions aren't just about football tactics or
(26:50):
finances. They're about building an entire
industry, creating economic opportunities, empowering
communities, and truly projecting African talent and
culture onto the world stage in a way that reflects its true
potential. What incredible arc we've
covered today. We started right down at the
technical level with those game changing C CAF coaching
mandates, the licenses, the deadlines, the strict penalties.
(27:13):
Really a revolution starting on the bench.
Fundamental shift. Then we saw the real world
ripple effects. Coaches like Gavin Hunt needing
courses, clubs like Maroons FC restructuring but also the vital
boost to coaching education likethat SOFA course.
The adaptation phase. Exactly.
But then we zoomed out, didn't we, to confront those deeper
systemic challenges, the underinvestment, the
infrastructure gaps, the impact on performance and talent
(27:35):
pipelines, despite Africa's amazing football heritage.
The tough reality? But we didn't leave it there.
We finished by exploring that comprehensive blueprint for
revival, those foundational pillars, strategic planning,
youth development, modern scouting, and then the ways to
fuel growth, sustainable finance, smart use of media and
tech. It's a massive undertaking, but
(27:57):
the pathway seems clear. It really does.
Look, the challenges are huge. No doubt.
They're complex, often tied to broader issues, but the
potential is just immense, undeniable, and the way forward,
as you said, is clear. It needs everyone pulling
together. C CAF FIFA governments,
federations, clubs, coaches, fans and needs that sustained
strategic investment and a real deep commitment to
(28:17):
professionalizing every single aspect of the game.
So what does this all mean for you, the learner?
The football enthusiast listening right now as Africa
takes these big steps, raising its coaching standards,
professionalizing its structures, tackling that
investment puzzle. Just imagine the impact not just
on the pitch, but on the whole continent.
Story globally. Thinking about everything we've
discussed, what single change doyou believe would spark the
(28:40):
biggest, most positive transformation for the future of
African football? Something to really Mull over.
Welcome everyone to the deep dive.
You know, if there's one thing that just absolutely electrifies
people, brings cultures together, it's got to be
football, right? The beautiful game and when we
talk football, I mean the sheer energy, the passion, the the raw
talent that just pours out of Africa, it's undeniable if.
(00:21):
There really is some special. You think about the roar at the
Africa Cup of Nations or you know, the incredible history
producing these world class players who've just dominated
pitches everywhere. George Way, Dragba Itura, Yaya
Toure, the list goes on. Legends Absolute legends of the
game. For sure, African football has
always been this, this force. But you know, even with all that
(00:43):
vibrancy, something feels like it's shifting right now, like a
big change is underway, something that could really
reshape the game there from the ground up.
OK, let's unpack this. There's a tectonic shift
happening in African football, something that promises to
reshape the game from the groundup.
Yeah, there's definitely a lot going on.
So our mission today really is to take a proper deep dive into
the Confederation of African Football CAF.
(01:06):
We really want to zero in on these, well, ambitious new
requirements they set for coaches, understand the impact
they're already having, you know, on the ground.
Right, the immediate effects. Exactly.
But we don't want to stop there.We need to broaden the view,
look at the the bigger picture, the challenges around
investment, development, these systemic things.
(01:27):
Which are huge. Absolutely huge.
And then crucially, pivot to OK.What are the solutions?
What are the strategies being talked about or even put in
place to tackle these hurdles? We want to give you that clear
insider's perspective. Cut through the noise.
Get to the core of what's happening with the future of
football on this incredibly dynamic continent.
Sounds like a plan. It's a complex picture, but
(01:48):
definitely worth exploring, right?
So let's kick things off with the big one.
The thing causing the most immediate ripples?
CKF's recent announcement on coaching.
And we should be clear, this isn't just some minor rule
change. No, not at all.
It feels like a fundamental shift, doesn't it?
A really bold move to well professionalize the sport across
Africa. That's exactly the word for it.
(02:09):
Professionalize. This isn't a suggestion anymore.
It's it's mandatory. If you want to be coaching in AC
half sanctioned competition, youneed the qualifications, period.
It's a deliberate strategy really to make sure the
technical leadership, you know, the coaching meets modern global
standards. So going forward, head coaches,
(02:30):
assistant coaches, they must hold either a CCAF A license or
the top one, the CCAF Pro license.
Cfaer Pro got it. Or, and this is important and
equivalent from another confederation, so if a coach
comes in with say a UEFA Pro License or one from AFC,
CONCACAF, CONMA Ball, ofc, thoseare recognized.
OK, so it accounts for international coaches too?
(02:51):
Exactly. It sets a high bar, a baseline
level of you know, professional competence, tactical
understanding, modern methods. It really elevates the
requirement across the board. And what's the scope here?
Is it just the top top tournaments?
No, and that's what's what's fascinating here, the sheer
breadth of these regulations. It's not just focusing on the
big senior men's tournaments. It signals A commitment to
(03:12):
raising standards at every level.
Every level like youth too. Absolutely.
The list of competitions affected is, well, it's
extensive. You've got both the men's and
women's Africa Cup of Nations. That includes the qualifiers and
the finals. OK, then.
The premier club competitions the Sea CAF Champions League,
the CF Confederation Cup plus the C CAF Super Cup, right the.
(03:35):
Club scene too. And CN the African Nations
Championship, which is crucial because it's for domestic league
players, directly impacting local professionalism.
Interesting point. And like you asked, it doesn't
stop there. It covers youth competitions
too, which is vital for the future.
We're talking men's U17U20U23 afcons.
So the whole pipeline. The whole pipeline.
(03:57):
Women's U-17 and U20 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, The CF Women's
Champions League and even any applicable women's youth club
competitions that might come up.It's a really comprehensive
push, demanding professional standards from grassroots all
the way up. That's that's huge.
It already covers the entire ecosystem.
(04:17):
Is it the same requirement for every single one of those or
does it vary? It varies.
It's tiered actually, which makes sense given the different
demands. So for the men's senior
competitions, that's your AFCON,Shan, Champions League,
Confederation Cup, Super Cup. The head coach needs that top
level CFACF pro or an equivalentPRO license.
OK, top tier for the men's head coaches.
(04:38):
And their assistant coaches aren't far behind.
They need AC half A or an equivalent PRO license too.
So a very high standard for the whole senior men's bench.
Right. What about the women's game?
Similar commitment there for thewomen's senior competitions
AFCON and the women's in Champions League.
The head coach also needs a CFA or equivalent PRO license.
Same standard for the head coach.
Good. The assistant coaches in women's
(04:59):
senior teams need a CAFB or an equivalent PRO license.
Still a significant qualification.
OK. Slightly different for the
assistant and the youth levels. For the youth competitions, both
men's and women's U17U20U23 Afcons World Cup qualifiers, the
head coach needs either ACFB or A or an equivalent, so ensuring
(05:22):
that foundational competence is there.
Right B or A for youth head coaches.
And the assistant coaches in youth need a CFC or a or an
equivalent. This this really detailed
breakdown I just underscores CFScommitment.
They want quality coaching, modern methods, certified
knowledge at every single layer of football development.
Incredibly thorough. You can see there's a real
(05:43):
strategy behind it. Makes it so clear this isn't
just a piece of paper exercise, it's a mandate with real teeth.
Exactly. Which must mean for coaches and
clubs right now, there's a lot of evaluation happening, maybe
scrambling for courses. Definitely it translates into an
urgent need for, well, adaptation.
For many, it's an investment in their own own human capital.
Really. So how is Tech F rolling this
(06:04):
out? Is it immediate?
Is there any kind of transition period?
They've been quite strategic about the timeline.
They understand coaches already in place might need time, so
there is a grace period if a coach was hired before May 4th,
2025. OK.
That specific date is key. Very key.
If they were hired before that, they have until the end of the
(06:24):
20/26/2020 seven season to get the required license.
So roughly 2 years or so. Yeah, a decent window to get
qualified without disrupting things immediately.
However, and this is the crucialbit, there's no grace period for
new appointments. Any coach appointed after May
4th, 2025 must already meet the standards day one.
Wow OK so clubs looking to hire now or in the near future, they
(06:49):
have to find someone already qualified.
Precisely, it puts immediate pressure on recruitment.
You can't just hire based on reputation anymore.
The license is non negotiable for new hires.
And what happens if someone, well, doesn't comply or can't
get the license in time? What are the consequences?
And this is where you see Sick Fisn't messing around.
The consequences are, let's say,severe and immediate.
(07:10):
Like fines, suspensions. It directly impacts their
ability to actually do their job.
First, they'll be denied access to Zone 1 and Zone 2 of stadiums
during CF matches. Zone 1 and 2, that's a technical
area, right Pitch side. Exactly.
The bench, the area around the pitch.
Absolutely essential for coaching during a game.
So no access there. Effectively they can't be on the
(07:33):
bench, can't give instructions from the sideline.
So they're basically coaching from the stands.
Or not coaching at all in effect.
Plus, they won't be eligible to be registered as official team
officials for C CAF competition.That's a big blow
professionally. Huge and they'll be prohibited
from participating in any official team activities linked
to C CAF matches. So completely sidelined.
(07:54):
And in serious or repeat cases they could be referred to CF
judicial bodies. That could mean further
disciplinary action, suspensions, maybe fines too.
OK. The message seems crystal clear.
Then yeah, comply or you're essentially out of continental
football. Unambiguous.
Meet the standard or risk your career, risk your ability to
(08:15):
participate, and the onus is nowfirmly on the clubs in the
national teams to ensure compliance.
It's an organizational responsibility.
Right, it forces their hand too.Absolutely.
And if we connect this to the bigger picture, these penalties
aren't just symbolic. They're designed to force
immediate change and crucially, push everyone, associations,
(08:36):
clubs to finally invest seriously in coaching,
education, infrastructure, not just see it as optional.
That makes sense. That level of detail on the
penalties really hammers home how serious they are.
OK, here's where it gets really interesting.
What's the vision here? What's really driving this
massive push for higher standards?
Is it just about ticking boxes or is there something deeper for
(08:57):
African football? Oh, it's absolutely deeper.
It's fundamentally about transforming the coaching
landscape on the continent, elevating it to global.
Standards. Exactly.
Aligning with global norms, professionalizing the whole
coaching profession. The core idea is pretty
straightforward if teams are LEDby properly qualified competent
coaches using modern methods. The quality of football
improves. The quality of football improves
(09:19):
significantly. Better tactics, better player
development. It's not just about formations,
it's about fostering that culture of, you know, continuous
learning, sports science, developing the player as a
whole, moving away from maybe adhoc methods to something more
systematic, more evidence based.Right, it's about building
sustainable success. Precisely.
(09:39):
It's about the long term development and growth of the
sport itself. CAF is actively encouraging
everyone, federation's clubs, coaches to really get behind
this, to see it as a vital contribution to the future of
African football. It's not just raising the bar,
it's about building a future where African football is
consistently competitive, admired globally.
(09:59):
Which is the ultimate goal, isn't it?
Absolutely. But, you know, this raises an
important question. How quickly can the continent
actually adapt to such a huge immediate shift?
And what are the stories we're already seeing?
How was this playing out in the real world?
Yeah, that's the crucial part. A theory sounds good, but how
does it translate on the ground?It's like you said, a real
coaching Crucible. Are we seeing clubs and coaches
(10:22):
already making moves? We definitely are.
It's already having a tangible impact.
Take Gavin Hunt in South Africa,the coach of Super Sport United.
He's very experienced, holds a UEFA license which is a high
level qualification. Right.
Highly respected. But under these new rules for
the C Half Confederation Cup, he's proactively going to do a
(10:42):
specific C half course to ensurehe complies even with his UEFA
A. Interesting.
So CF is really emphasizing its own licenses.
It seems so, and his CEO StanleyMatthews has publicly said
they'll make sure he gets it, even if they have to send him to
a course in another country because South Africa hasn't had
many recently. Well.
That shows the level of commitment required.
Significant time resource. It really does.
(11:04):
It's not trivial. Then there's a great example
from Uganda Maroons FC. They just appointed a new head
coach, Umar Abdallah. Why?
Because he has the CFA license. He replaced Mohamedson Fuma who
had AC CAF B. So a direct consequence of the
licensing rules. Exactly, They needed to comply
with the FUFA club licensing, which is already aligned with
(11:27):
these higher CF standards for their domestic league.
Sanfuma, who'd done well there for three years, actually moved
to assistant coach. So it shows how clubs are having
to strategically adjust their staff, maybe move people around
to meet the rules. A pragmatic solution, keeping
his experience but complying. Right.
And it's not all scramble either.
Some coaches were already compliant.
(11:48):
Callisto Pursua at FCB Nyasa Bullets, He has AC Paff a
Brendan Truder at Sekukuni United.
Also see Cafe Jose Rivero at Orlando Pirates.
He's got the UEFA Pro License, which is recognized.
We're ahead of the curve. Some were definitely prepared,
showing that investment in coaching education was already
happening, just maybe not universally.
But there must be challenges too, right?
(12:09):
Especially for maybe foreign coaches.
Yes, definitely. Expatriate coaches are a key
group affected. Someone might have a UEFA A be a
very good coach, but if their team qualifies for AC calf
competition, they might suddenlyfind themselves needing that
specific C calf equivalent. Like WHO?
Any examples? Well, there's mention of Peter
Dejong at Silver Strikers, Mark Harrison at Mighty Mukuru
(12:31):
Wanderers and Malawi both have UEFA A if their teams get into C
calf tournaments they face that issue.
Silver Striker Secretary even seemed to be downplaying their C
CAF ambitions, perhaps because of this hurdle.
So it could even influence whether clubs want to compete
continentally. It could certainly be a factor
in their planning and budgeting and we've seen this bite before,
(12:54):
even under previous maybe less stringent rules.
Coaches like Dan Melissela, CaboZongo, Eric Tinkler, back when
he was with Cape Town City, they've all had spells where
they had to sit in the stands during C CAF games because they
didn't have the right license atthat.
Moment, right? I remember that with Tinkler
stuck in the stands, unable to coach directly.
Exactly. Leaving the team without their
(13:14):
main tactical leader on the touchline.
So what's fascinating here is just how immediate and real the
impact is. It's changing careers, club
strategies, backroom setups. Right now it's not abstract,
it's forcing change. It really is compelling to see
those real world effects. So OK, if everyone suddenly
needs these higher licenses, what about the supply side?
(13:35):
Are there enough courses? Is the education infrastructure
there to meet this sudden surge in demand, or is it creating a
bottleneck? That is absolutely critical
question. You can't just demand
qualifications without providingthe pathway to get them.
And well, the picture is mixed. But there are efforts underway.
Like what? Like in South Africa, Safa just
(13:55):
hosted its first See Half a license course since 2017.
Wow, the first in six years. Yeah, which tells you something
about the previous gap, right? So this recent course running
from late 2023 to mid 2024 in Johannesburg was hugely
significant. 25 coaches participated.
Who was on it? Any big name?
A real mix. You had current PSL coaches like
(14:16):
Gavin Hunt, Eric Tinkler who knows first hand the pain of not
having it, Steve Barker, plus a lot of former top players
transitioning into coaching likeJabalani Mendu, Godfrey Sapula,
Sailor Shabala. They're all working to get up to
speed. That's great to see that mix of
experience and former players investing in education.
Definitely, and SOFAS technical director Walter Steenbach.
(14:37):
He spoke about how crucial coaching education is.
He called it the cornerstone of development, essential for
getting African coaches aligned with international standards.
Modern Trends. So the federation's are
recognizing they need to step upand provide these courses.
They have to. It's about enabling the change,
not just enforcing it. They're also bringing in top
(14:57):
coaches to share knowledge. Rouhani Maquina from Sundowns,
who just won the African Football League.
He was a guest speaker at that SOFA course, sharing elite level
insights. That adds real value.
Practical current knowledge. Exactly.
But look, while these new standards are vital for coaching
quality, this raises an important question.
Are better coaching licenses on their own enough?
(15:20):
Are they enough to fix the deeper problems holding African
football back globally? Yeah, that's the crux of it,
isn't it? It feels like we're pulling on a
thread here. If we connect this to the bigger
picture, the coaching rules are maybe necessary but not
sufficient. I think that's a fair
assessment. They're addressing one part,
maybe even a symptom of a largerissue, because when you look
(15:41):
deeper, many argue there's a more fundamental problem, a
serious ongoing crisis of investment in African football.
You're absolutely right to make that connection.
It's complex and honestly sometimes quite dispiriting when
you look at the potential versusthe reality.
Africa has this incredibly rich football history, right?
Leagues over 50 years old. Passionate local rivalries.
(16:05):
And that production line of global stars we mentioned
earlier? Exactly.
An unbelievable track record of producing talent that shines on
the world stage. But despite all that, the
heritage, the talent pool, the continent wide passion, there's
this troubling trend. A decline in, let's say,
consistent elite output and critically, a decline in
meaningful strategic investment.And that impacts everything else
(16:27):
down the line. Everything it impacts
development, infrastructure, competitiveness, its ability to
consistently punch at its weightglobally.
So what are the signs? How does this decline actually,
you know, manifest itself? Well, there are a few clear
interconnected indicators. First, look at performances in
big international tournaments, right?
We remember the highs, don't we?Cameroon in 1990, Nigeria in the
(16:49):
90s, Ghana almost making the World Cup semis in 2010.
Those moments electrified everyone.
They really did showcase the potential.
But recently, yeah, feels like astruggle.
Teams failing to even qualify for the World Cup, even big
nations having disappointing Afcons, maybe not getting out of
the group stages. Performances often seem well
(17:11):
lacking compared to the past. Yeah, that inconsistency is
noticeable. And that lack of consistent
success, it reduces visibility, right?
Makes it harder to attract sponsors, investors.
It becomes a cycle. A vicious cycle, exactly.
Poor results lead to less interest, leads to less money,
leads to poorer preparation and facilities, which leads back to
poor results. And you can link those poor
(17:32):
results to tangible things, sometimes inadequate tactical
prep compared to European or South American teams, often a
lack of modern infrastructure, training pitches, gyms, sports
science support, and sadly, sometimes administrative issues
within federation's mismanagement, even corruption
can directly hurt team performance.
OK, so international performanceis 1 indicator.
(17:53):
What else? 2nd, and this is really
worrying, is the sense that there are fewer new African
superstars breaking through and dominating in the very top
European leagues. Interesting point.
We still see talented players, obviously, but maybe not that
steady stream of truly global icons like Drogba or Edible
were. Exactly the pipeline seems less
(18:13):
abundant, less consistent in producing those absolute world
beaters who become household names globally.
And this isn't just about vanity.
Those players are crucial ambassadors.
Their success lifts the profile of the entire continent's
football. So why is that happening?
Is it talent identification? Youth Development.
It's likely a combination of factors.
Scouting networks might be inadequate, maybe still relying
(18:35):
on old methods, not enough data,not reaching remote areas
effectively. Youth development programs are
often chronically underfunded, lack of quality facilities, not
enough qualified youth coaches. Even basic equipment can be
missing. So the raw talent is there, but
it's not being nurtured properly.
That's the argument. Plus you have broader
socioeconomic issues, political instability in some regions,
(18:57):
poverty. These things create huge hurdles
for young players just trying todevelop, get education, proper
nutrition, security. It makes their path incredibly
difficult. And when you have fewer stars
shining brightly in the Premier League or La Liga, it diminishes
the global appeal, makes it harder to attract investment
back home. OK, performance, player
pipeline. What's the third indicator?
(19:19):
The 3rd, and maybe the root of the others, is just insufficient
investment across the board fromalmost everyone you could think
of. FIFA could potentially invest
more strategically. Local clubs often lack the
resources or professional structures, governments
frequently of other very pressing priorities, and private
businesses, both local and international, seem hesitant.
(19:42):
And how does that lack of money show up on the ground?
In very obvious ways. Grumbling stadiums or just basic
training fields. Inadequate facilities, No modern
gyms, no video analysis rooms. Not enough money for clubs to
pay players decent professional wages, or invest in sports
science, or even cover travel costs comfortably.
(20:02):
Mix hard to run a professional operation.
Extremely hard, yeah. How do you develop talent
sustainably without those basics?
How do you create exciting, competitive domestic leagues if
clubs are struggling financially?
It all connects. And this lack of investment also
affects the quality of local leagues, which then impacts the
national teams. And you mentioned corruption and
mismanagement earlier. That must scare investors off,
(20:23):
too. Massively If potential investors
see a lack of transparency, if they worry funds meant for youth
development might disappear, if political interference overrides
merit, why would they invest? They need accountability, good
governance. Complex bureaucracy can also be
a deterrent. Right.
Add that to the general economicchallenges many African nations
(20:44):
face. Exactly.
Governments and businesses mighthave very legitimate reasons to
prioritize healthcare, education, infrastructure over
football. It creates that perfect storm,
that vicious cycle we talked about.
No investment, poor results, less visibility, even less
investment. What's fascinating and frankly
frustrating is how tangled up all these issues are.
(21:05):
Lack of money directly hurts coaching, infrastructure, youth
development, which hurts performance, which makes it
harder to get money. It's a tough not to untangle.
Wow, that paints a really clear,if quite sobering picture of the
systemic challenges. But you know, hearing all that,
the scale of the potential feelseven bigger if these issues can
be addressed. The potential is astronomical.
(21:26):
Absolutely astronomical. So what does this all mean for
turning the tide? It sounds daunting, but what are
the practical steps? What's the blueprint for
unlocking this potential and breaking that cycle?
Well, the good news is, despite how big the challenges look, the
potential is real and there is apath forward.
It requires a really comprehensive, strategic and
coordinated approach. You can think about it in maybe
(21:49):
2 main phases, building the essential foundations and then
actively fueling growth and boosting visibility.
OK, foundations first what needsto be built?
Right, the non negotiables 1st. A real strategic plan, not just
a document that sits on a shelf.A detailed long term blueprint.
For the whole continent or country by country.
Ideally overarching principles from CF, but implemented with
(22:12):
specific tailored plans within each country or region.
This plan needs clear, measurable goals for everything
upgrading infrastructure, transforming youth academies,
improving coaching, tying back to the new CF rules, and
ensuring leagues and clubs can actually be financially stable.
And who needs to be involved in creating?
Everyone governments, private sector, international bodies
(22:33):
like FIFA and CAF, local federations, clubs.
Critically, this plan must tackle governance head on.
Transparency, accountability, independent oversight, anti
corruption measures. These are essential to build
trust, especially with investors.
OK, strategic plan with strong governance, What's pillar #2?
Youth Development. This has to be the absolute
(22:55):
bedrock, investing seriously andconsistently in grassroots
football and building high quality youth academies.
What does high quality look likein this context?
It means partnerships linking upwith successful academies
globally, Europe, South America to bring in expertise, modern
training methods, maybe exchangeprograms for coaches and
players. It means creating proper, well
(23:16):
organized local youth leagues sokids get regular competitive
game. Not just occasional tournaments.
Exactly. Consistent competition, and it
means a holistic curriculum. Technical skills, yes, but also
physical conditioning tactics, psychology education, making
sure these kids develop as people, not just players.
And imagine the impact of getting former stars, legends
(23:37):
involved as mentors. Yeah.
That would be powerful, passing on that experience.
Hugely powerful 3rd foundationalpillar scouting and talent ID.
We talked about the talent pipeline issue.
Right. Finding the talent that's out
there, but maybe hidden. Precisely building robust modern
scouting networks that cover thewhole continent using
technology, video analysis, data, performance tracking to
(23:59):
make it more objective, more efficient.
Running regular talent ID camps,tournaments and really building
relationships with local clubs, schools, communities to find
talent everywhere, inclusively. Talent is everywhere, tunity
isn't got to bridge that gap. OK, plan youth development
scouting. That feels like a solid base.
(24:19):
It's the essential groundwork. But then this raises an
important question. How do you pay for all this?
How do you sustain it financially and make sure the
world actually sees the results?Exactly.
Building it is one thing, funding it and getting it
noticed is another. How do you fuel that growth and
visibility? Right.
So building on that foundation, you need that two pronged
approach. First, secure, sustainable
(24:39):
finance and sustainable is the keyword.
Not just one off injections of cash.
No, it means attracting diverse funding streams, corporate
sponsorships, big industries like telecoms, banking,
consistent government funding where possible, international
grants from FIFA development banks and clubs and leagues need
(25:00):
to get creative with their own revenue.
Beyond just ticket sales. Way beyond modern merchandising,
better match day experiences, hospitality and crucially,
negotiating strong transparent broadcasting deals, both
traditional TV and digital streaming.
Digital seems key now. Absolutely key for reaching a
global younger audience. But underpinning all of this,
(25:22):
financial transparency and accountability.
Investors need to see where the money is going and that it's
being used effectively. Building partnerships with
international clubs can also bring in cash and expertise.
And again, tackling corruption and bureaucracy makes the whole
environment more attractive for investment.
You need a sophisticated marketing strategy too.
Selling the story, the passion, the potential.
(25:43):
OK. So diverse funding transparency,
smart commercialization. What's the other prong for
growth? Leveraging media and technology.
This isn't optional anymore. It's essential for survival and
growth. You have to increase the global
visibility of African football. How better TV deals?
Yes, but think bigger. Aggressively pursue digital
streaming platforms, partner with major global broadcasters.
(26:07):
Make it easy for fans anywhere in the world to watch African
Leagues CAF competitions. Reach the diaspora.
Reach new fans. Exactly.
And use social media relentlessly, engage fans, build
communities online, use platforms like TikTok, WhatsApp,
Facebook where the audience already is, especially within
Africa. Create compelling content, not
just highlights but behind the scenes.
(26:28):
Access Player Stories Cultural features tell the unique story
of African football. Make it more than just the 90
minutes on the pitch. Precisely Develop mobile apps,
interactive websites, collaborate with international
media influencers, change the narrative, showcase the talent,
the passion, the innovation. If we connect this to the bigger
picture, these solutions aren't just about football tactics or
(26:50):
finances. They're about building an entire
industry, creating economic opportunities, empowering
communities, and truly projecting African talent and
culture onto the world stage in a way that reflects its true
potential. What incredible arc we've
covered today. We started right down at the
technical level with those game changing C CAF coaching
mandates, the licenses, the deadlines, the strict penalties.
(27:13):
Really a revolution starting on the bench.
Fundamental shift. Then we saw the real world
ripple effects. Coaches like Gavin Hunt needing
courses, clubs like Maroons FC restructuring but also the vital
boost to coaching education likethat SOFA course.
The adaptation phase. Exactly.
But then we zoomed out, didn't we, to confront those deeper
systemic challenges, the underinvestment, the
infrastructure gaps, the impact on performance and talent
(27:35):
pipelines, despite Africa's amazing football heritage.
The tough reality? But we didn't leave it there.
We finished by exploring that comprehensive blueprint for
revival, those foundational pillars, strategic planning,
youth development, modern scouting, and then the ways to
fuel growth, sustainable finance, smart use of media and
tech. It's a massive undertaking, but
(27:57):
the pathway seems clear. It really does.
Look, the challenges are huge. No doubt.
They're complex, often tied to broader issues, but the
potential is just immense, undeniable, and the way forward,
as you said, is clear. It needs everyone pulling
together. C CAF FIFA governments,
federations, clubs, coaches, fans and needs that sustained
strategic investment and a real deep commitment to
(28:17):
professionalizing every single aspect of the game.
So what does this all mean for you, the learner?
The football enthusiast listening right now as Africa
takes these big steps, raising its coaching standards,
professionalizing its structures, tackling that
investment puzzle. Just imagine the impact not just
on the pitch, but on the whole continent.
Story globally. Thinking about everything we've
discussed, what single change doyou believe would spark the
(28:40):
biggest, most positive transformation for the future of
African football? Something to really Mull over.
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