Nhau News Online News that is accurate, reliable, trustworthy!!
By Ray Munyoro
FC Platinum are in a fix ahead of the start of the CAF Champions League 2020/21 season at the end of this month.
This comes after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) ruled that their coach Pieter De Jongh, who is not a holder CAF A licence, will not sit on the bench in the forthcoming interclub competitions.
The blow also comes after the Zvishavane miners had parted ways with former assistant coach Lizwe Sweswe who led them to the group stages last season.
Pure Platinum Play had written to CAF through Zifa to have the Dutchman, a holder of UEFA, exempted.
According to CAF, a coach should be a holder of a CAF A licence to be allowed to sit on the bench for interclub matches.
And speaking to Nhau Sport on the way forward, FC Platinum spokesperson Chido Chizondo said they are yet to decide.
Chizondo said they will issue a statement when they have made the decision.
Zifa spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela in a statement Tuesday said the Zimbabwe champions’ request has been shot down.
“The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has turned down Hendrikus Pieter De Jongh and FC Platinum’s request for exemption to allow the head coach to sit on the bench during CAF Interclub matches.
“De Jongh is a holder of a UEFA A licence obtained in his native country Netherlands.
“A CAF A coaching licence is a prerequisite for all coaches who participate in CAF inter-club competitions,” said Gwesela.
Platinum begin this season’s campaign with a date against Mozambique’s Costa du Sol on November 27.
“For coaches from confederations and those who were trained outside Africa, only valid Pro licence holders are exempted.
“CAF Club Licensing criterion on Administration and personnel demands that all persons should be qualified for positions that they hold within football structures.
“To complement CAF’s stance on promoting professionalism on the game, the Zimbabwe Football Association, Zifa, has been gradually enforcing club licensing dictates in the elite league,” said Gwesela. Nhau/Indaba
