Under CAF regulations national teams’ head coaches must hold a CAF A licence

* FAM cannot circumvent the regulations to fit it Lovemore Fazili using Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) which the public is advancing

* The RPL treatment as well as enforcement of CAF’s Coaching Convention has undergone a major structural shift

Some members of the public are advancing the debate that Football Association of Malawi can apply to Confederation of African Football (CAF) to recognise coach Lovemore Fazili’s years of work and his achievements with the Scorchers for him to still be head coach at FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027.

The argument being advanced is wrongly assuming that FAM does not follow a procedure called Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) quoting CAF’s regulations in Article 8.

The author of the argument indicates that Article 8 states that “if a coach has served long, has big results, holds CAF B, but his country had no CAF A courses, CAF can recognise his years of work as equal to class. He jumps straight to CAF A”.

They further indicate that Malawi last hosted CAF A in 2018 — thus “Fazili qualifies 100% through 8 years experience with Scorchers”, that includes 2023 COSAFA championship, historic qualification to the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAfCON) and a silver medal and the first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup.

They further argue that FAM should apply for RPL the soonest by sending Fazili’s portfolio (CV, videos, trophies) to CAF and to pay US$1,500.

FAM should then request CAF for an assessment in Blantyre that include one day of oral exam and another session on practical training.

The association should the acquire and RPL Letter issued by CAF and “eureka! Fazili is now officially CAF A candidate. This is not full CAF A yet, but FIFA accepts it as provisional license.”

What the author of the argument seems not aware of, or deliberately omitted, is that CAF announced in a circular dated May 4, 2025, that head coaches in senior men’s competitions, including the Africa Cup of Nations (AfCON), CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup, must hold a CAF A or CAF Pro licence.

Even for WAfCON and Women’s Champions League, head coaches must possess a CAF A licence, while assistant coaches require a CAF B licence.

But according to impeccable sources, the enforcement of CAF’s coaching conventions, including the so called RPL has undergone a major structural shift.

And also that after a 10-year gap, CAF officially approved FAM to independently run the CAF A Licence course, which shifts how legacy experience and exemptions are managed in Malawi.

FAM president Fleetwood Haiya explained that they are at pains with Fazili’s predicament — thus he will still be in the Scorchers’ technical panel in Brazil despite concerns over his coaching qualifications.

FAM Media quoted Haiya highlighting that Fazili remained in charge of the Scorchers at WAfCON because he had an existing contract with the national team.

He also stressed that FAM recognises Fazili’s contribution to the team’s historic achievements and is determined to ensure that he remains part of the technical setup at the World Cup.

Fazili has thus been identified by FAM as one of the coaches who will undergo the upcoming CAF A Licence coaching course, which CAF has authorised FAM to conduct locally in November or December.

“Coach Fazili is among the coaches earmarked for this course,” Haiya is quoted as saying. “However, by the time he will be undertaking his CAF A coaching course, the list of coaches who are supposed to lead the Scorchers at the World Cup will have already been submitted.

Haiya further explained that the timing of the course and the submission deadline for the World Cup technical panel could prevent Fazili from serving as head coach, even if he successfully completes the training.

“Therefore, it will be difficult for Lovemore Fazili to lead the Scorchers at the World Cup because, even if he passes, the names are required before the CAF A examination results are released,” he explained.

Haiya, however, emphasised that Fazili’s contribution to the Scorchers’ success cannot be overlooked, assuring him of a place within the technical panel as recognition of his achievements.

He further assured Malawians that FAM will put in place the necessary technical arrangements to ensure that the Scorchers are adequately prepared for their historic World Cup appearance.

He stressed that the Association’s ambition is to assemble a competitive team capable of challenging opponents on the global stage rather than merely participating in the tournament.

Perhaps what we can advance, going forward, is for our coaches to be upgrading because football has transformed tremendously and that goes with new regulations.

Let’s not be emotional over Fazili’s predicament, he has been overtaken by latest developments in world football that require head coaches to be well ahead in terms of qualification.

Fazili and others, that include Under-20 national team coach Enos Chatama and Silver Strikers Ladies coach Andrew Chikhosi, should undergo the CAF A licence process, which is mandatory — others these three have let us down and embarrassed the nation immensely.

Chatama was barred from the touchline during Malawi’s opening match against Zambia at the COSAFA U20 AfCON 2026 qualifiers in Mozambique with his assistant coach Mapopa Msukwa taking charge.

Chikhosi faced same restrictions at the CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA 2026 qualifiers in Botswana — thus before departure, the club appointed technical director, Patricio Kulemeka to assume his duties during the competition.

At least, Silver Strikers were well prepared for it by arranging Kulemeka to be in charge but Chatama faced it right at the tournament.

These issues shouldn’t resurface now that CAF has authorised FAM to conduct the CAF A Licence coaching course.

Otherwise, let’s dwell on lavishing the deserved praises on Fazili and the rest of the Scorchers technical panel, that include the pioneer of country’s women’s football, Maggie Chombo-Sidiki for transforming the team.

That way, Fazili shall offer his contributions very positively because, and am very sure, he wants to reach the finish line, that includes qualifying for the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028.

Good luck, Fazili.