Former Kaizer Chiefs defender Thomas Sweswe and ex-Benoni United’s James Sangala have earned selection into the career-changing FIFA educational programme, The Next 90.
The Zimbabwean Sweswe and Malawian Sangala are rubbing shoulders with Premier League legends such as Sol Campbell, Tim Cahill and Belgian international Mbo Mpenza at the course underway in Switzerland.
The Next 90 programme targets former players with at least one international cap and a good command of English—both written and spoken—and is meant to empower them in their second careers.
The inaugural phase of the programme has attracted 35 former players drawn from across the world.
The one-year programme began in January with virtual lessons followed by physical sessions in Zurich.
FIFA says the inaugural edition of The Next 90 comprises seven modules and runs for 10 months.
The former players are required to present projects for their next careers at the end of the course in December this year.
List of participants:
AKA Margaret (Papua New Guinea), AKIDE Mercy (Nigeria), AL HAMMADI Abdulbaset (United Arab Emirates), ANGEL Juan Pablo (Colombia), BLAKELY Luke (Antigua and Barbuda), BROWN-FINNIS Rachel (England), BYRNE Emma (Republic of Ireland), CAHILL Tim (Australia), CAMPBELL Sol (England), CAPOBIANCO Renata (Brazil), CICHERO Gabriel (Venezuela), FADL Mohamed (Egypt), FAY Gemma (Scotland), GEORGES Laura (France), HENNING Josephine (Germany), HENRIQUEZ Astor (Honduras), HERBERT Ricki (New Zealand), LALAS Alexi (USA), LLOYD Carli (USA), MACHON Martin (Guatemala), MAROTO Norman (Zimbabwe), MELGAR Pablo (Guatemala), MPENZA Mbo (Belgium), O’REILLY Heather (USA), PARANJODY Patrick (Singapore), PARRAGUIRRE Romina (Chile), PEREZ Ricardo (Colombia), REED Douglas (England), SANGALA James (Malawi), SIMIC Julia (Germany), SSENINDE Jean (Uganda), SWESWE Thomas (Zimbabwe), WEN Sun (China PR), YUSUF Ayisat (Nigeria).
