Sports

Over 100 Coaches Apply For Zebras Job

BFA Chief executive officer, Goabaone Taylor PIC: KENNEDY RAMOKONE
 
BFA Chief executive officer, Goabaone Taylor PIC: KENNEDY RAMOKONE

The national team coaching job fell vacant in June this year when Adel Amrouche’s contract was not renewed. He joined the Zebras late in 2019 but the league has not been active since March last year because of the Covid-19 pandemic. While some doubted Amrouche’s credentials the consensus was his term was greatly disturbed by COVID-19 making it difficult to judge him.

During his reign Amrouche also accused the association of not doing enough to support him.

According to Taylor, most of the applicants are international coaches. She said that the association's intention is to have hired a Zebras coach before the end of the year. “We have just started the screening process and we are dealing with a lot of applications. The intension is to have hired a coach before the end of the year,” Taylor said yesterday.

She added, “If at all we fail to hire a coach before the end of the year we would definitely do that early next year (2022). I am confident that the process to appoint will not go beyond early next year.

Let me emphasize that the appointment of the coach is something that we want to do as soon as possible. However, it is worth it to note that the appointment will determined by the immediate availability of the choice would have made as well the nature of agreement will enter into (with the chosen candidate),” Taylor said yesterday.

In August the BFA released an advert calling for applications for the post of head coach. The advert stated that the suitable candidate for the job should have a CAF Pro or CAF A license.

Those holding UEFA Pro or UEFA A license have also been encouraged to apply. A Master’s Degree in Sports Science qualification cited as an added advantage. The coach will be given a mandate of building a solid team that will be qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The Zebras made their maiden and last appearance at the tournament in 2012.

Most local coaches do not have the credentials required for the job, which is why many believe that an international coach will inevitably be appointed to replace Amrouche.