Newly-appointed Ngezi Platinum Stars head coach Benjani Mwaruwari doesn’t have a CAF A Coaching licence.
This means that he cannot sit on the coach’s bench during matches until the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA), allows him to use his UEFA A Licence in the local league.
It has emerged that Madamburo appointed Benjani as their new head coach without first applying for the waiver from ZIFA.
Acting ZIFA chief executive, Xolisani Gwesela, on Tuesday told Chronicle that his office had not received any application from Ngezi Platinum Stars. He said:
I am not commenting on any recent developments in certain clubs but what I can tell you is that we have not yet received any application for a waiver on any coach who intends to work as a head coach for a Premiership team.
Look, our rules and regulations in terms of club licensing requirements state that only coaches with a CAF A licence can be head coach for a club playing in the Premier Soccer League.
Exceptions are only given under special circumstances that is after an application is made by the club intending to appoint individuals who do not have the requisite qualification.
There are special cases in the league which have been addressed but at the moment no team has come forward with any application pertaining to that issue.
Ngezi Platinum Stars face Bulawayo Chiefs at Luveve on Sunday and Benjani might miss the match if the issue is not dealt with in time for the game.
Rules are rules
Ndebele asserted that the rules are clear no coach without a CAF A Licence can sit on the bench leading a premiership club. He said:
The rules are clear and are there for everyone to see. Club Licensing is a serious matter and as a country, we all agreed that no coach without a CAF A Licence is allowed to sit on the bench leading a top-flight team.
But maybe the good thing is those clubs affected may apply for a waiver and depending on their situation, they can always be allowed to do so.