As part of its ongoing efforts to further elevate the standards of African football, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reminded all its members of the coaching requirements approved at its Executive Committee meeting held on December 16, 2024.

The CAF Coaching Standards approved under the new CAF Coaching Convention applies not only to the CAF Inter-clubs and the Women’s Champions League competitions, but also to all National Teams of CAF Member Associations.  The purpose of the reminder is to ensure that coaches across all CAF competitions meet the minimum professional standards set by CAF.

“We deeply appreciate the commitment and cooperation of the Member Associations in ensuring the successful implementation of these requirements, which have significantly enhanced the integrity of the CAF Inter-club competitions and Women’s Champions League competitions” said CAF in its letter to Member Association.

CAF highlighted the following key points and exceptions:

1. All coaches who do not possess the requisite certification must fully comply with the new coaching requirements immediately.
2. Coaches with valid contracts who do not possess the required license, and who were contracted before the introduction of the New CAF Coaching Requirements, will have two football seasons (2025/2026 and 2026/2027) to meet the certification requirements.
3. Clubs and National Associations intending to hire coaches after the implementation of this Coaching Requirements must ensure that these coaches meet the specified qualifications outlined in the new requirements. Please note that newly hired coaches will not be eligible for the grace period described in point 2.
4. For women’s competitions, one of the coaches - either the Head Coach or the Assistant Coach, must be a woman.
5. It is also important to underscore that in case of non-fulfilment of the above requirements the affected coach would be prohibited from accessing Zones 1 and 2 of the stadiums during CAF matches. Additionally, coaches will not be registered as team officials or permitted to participate in any official team activities. Other sporting sanctions, including a referral to the CAF Judicial Bodies, may apply.

The role of coaches in the development of football, particularly in the African football and on Ghana football landscape, is of paramount importance.

Recognizing this, CAF introduced new coaching requirements, to regulate the activities of coaches involved in official CAF matches. Over the years, these requirements have carefully been refined to ensure that coaches participating in the CAF Inter-clubs and the Women’s Champions League competitions meet the necessary standards to participate in these competitions.

In Ghana, led by the Executive Committee, the Ghana Football Association through its Technical Directorate, the National Teams Department and the Club Licensing Committee have worked effectively to meet all the requirements by the full organisation, under the New CAF Coaching Convention, all courses from GFA Licence D, CAF Licence C, CAF Licence B and CAF Licence A.

CAF Pro Coaching Licence courses are organised directly by CAF.

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