The Zimbabwe Football Association seeks to build on the momentum set by the qualification by the men and women’s national teams for international tournaments by standardising qualifications for local coaches at all levels starting from grassroots up to the national team level.

In a statement issued by the new Technical Director Tawurayi Mangwiro, the move is meant to ensure that footballers produced in the country match international football standards and ultimately break into competitive leagues.

“At the commencement of the 2017 football season, all Premier Soccer League (PSL) head coaches and their assistants are obliged to be in possession of CAF A and local Level 4 (Advanced Level) licenses,” read the statement.

“The recent qualification of the Senior Women’s team for the Olympics highlights the success of women in sport, an achievement needs to be matched with proper training and development of more women in the coaching field.”

The Zimbabwe Football Association is also moving at enhancing grassroots development by equipping teachers with qualifications.

“Teachers are an important stakeholder in as far as grassroots and junior football development is concerned due to their understanding of children’s psychology. In that vein, the association intends to target teachers who are still at college and those already in the field to equip them with the technical aspects of the game.

“By the time the 2017 football season, coaches at Primary and Secondary schools and any other junior teams should have a minimum qualification of local Level 2 and Grassroots certificate in coaching.”