Pitso Mosimane aiming for top 5 African ranking

Linda Moreotsene

Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane says he will guide Bafana Bafana to fifth place on the African rankings by late 2012.

Mosimane made the bold declaration at the launch of the Safa’s level 3 pro licence coaching course in Tshwane yesterday.

“We want our Africa ranking to be better and we also want to do well at the African Cup of Nations. I feel that by taking this step, the association shows its seriousness about their holistic approach to the game,” said Mosimane.

The level 3 course is the highest tier of coaching qualification in South Africa and is the equivalent of Uefa’s pro licence – required for coaching top level European teams.

The 35 local coaches picked to attend the high calibre course are a mixture of national, Premiership, National First Division and Vodacom League coaches.

Those coaches who made it into the final 35 – from the initial 54 – include national under-20 assistant coach Maqsood Chenia, Free State Stars’ Steve Komphela, Thomas Madigage of SuperSport United, AmaZulu’s Manqoba Mngqithi and former Mpumalanga Black Aces coach Neil Tovey.

Mosimane will be one of five instructors conducting the programme, which will be spread over 63 days.

“It is an honour for me to once again work with the German Football Federation (DFB),” Mosimane said.

Pitso Mosimane

“They are instrumental in my own development and laid the foundation for my career.

“I used to attend the courses there and I feel good that these guys will be empowered to work anywhere they please – be it at academies or as youth coaches,” Mosimane said.

Mosimane also runs coaching education throughout the provinces, and in addition to his various coaching positions held over a period of 10 years, holds a diploma in sports science from the University of Johannesburg.

This programme is a joint venture between the German government, the DFB and Safa, with Fifa’s instructor and former Safa technical director, Horst Kriete, also contributing to the first phase of the course.

Kriete said he was confident the course would be of benefit to South African football.

The teams in the World Cup final, which Spain won by 1-0 against Holland – were not only coached by nationals of those countries, but most of the players plied their trade within their domestic league.

At a time when PSL teams are immersed at a sensitive stage in both league and Nedbank Cup action, Amazulu coach Mngqithi hailed his team for allowing him to attend the course and picking up the tab.

“They did not only send me, but they also sent development coach Ronny Moroka to this course.

“It shows they also care about our development and are willing to invest in it.

“I think armed with this qualification, not only can you coach anywhere in the world, but it broadens one’s horizons,” said Mngqithi.