South Africa’s CAF Confederation Cup 2022/23 representatives, Royal AM may have misread the rules on the involvement of their co-coaches, Dan Malesela and Khabo Zondo, in the interclub competition.
Malesela and Zondo sat in the stands when Royal AM played Mbabane Highlanders in the first leg of the preliminary round of the competition.
The two co-coaches did not get involved in the pre-match activities [on matchday], including team talk and addressing the media.
According to CAF’s coaching license rules, a head coach in continental club competitions must hold a CAF A or Pro license.
An assistant must have a CAF B.
FARPost has since established that the club was told the coaches couldn’t participate in any activities by the match commissioner.
Seychelles official Lewis Blaze Madeleine told Royal AM that their coaches were barred from entering the dressing room.
WHY THE MATCH COMMISSIONER WAS WRONG
An official CAF Coaching License requirements document was sent to all clubs and it reads as follows:
“The coaches will still be allowed to be registered as an official of the team.
“And to take part in all other official activities of the team during the CAF inter-clubs 2022/23.4
“The activities include training sessions, media activities [pre-match and post-match], all except sitting on the bench during the match.
“During the course of the match, the coach has to sit in the stands and may communicate with the technical bench using alternative forms of communication, but not with the infield players.
“Furthermore, the coach, as long as properly accredited, can accompany the team in the dressing room for pre-match, half-time and full-time talk.”
WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE
Royal AM general manager Richard Makhoba said whatever transpired in the first leg was water under the bridge. He said their focus was now on the return leg at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday [4pm].
“What happened in the previous match is water under the bridge. We are focusing on the next match,” Makhoba told FARPost.
Zondo and Malesela should be able to participate in the team’s activities on Friday.
Interestingly, in Cape Town, Eric Tinkler, who could not sit on the bench for his team’s Confed Cup tie, joined his men in the dressing room at halftime.
Cape Town City beat AS Otôho of Congo 2-0 at the Athlone Stadium on Saturday.
