The confederation of African Football (CAF) has successfully launched the License D Coaching course in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The innovative project is a component of the 2021–2025 action plan of CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe, which is heavily focused on the advancement of women’s and youth football in both urban and rural Africa.
Veron Mosengo-Omba, the general secretary of CAF, formally opened the week-long course aiming to provide a boost to women’s football in the D.R Congo.
The programme is led by a number of highly skilled coaching instructors from CAF, notably Ludovic Debru and Lamia Boumedhi.
Thirty aspiring coaches enrolled in the project, which is a CAF initiative run in collaboration with the Congolese Football Federation (FECOFA).
Speaking on the inaugural day at Kwilu-Ngongo, Mosengo-Omba stated: We must invest in the development of players and, more significantly, coaches if we are to see improvements in professionalism and help Women’s
Football in Africa fulfil its full potential. Additionally, UEFA is supporting the course by donating equipment.
This is the first in a series of donations that will guarantee the expansion of women’s football in the area.
Kwilu Foot Academy, which has been leading the way in the region’s progress of women’s football, was specifically mentioned by Mosengo-Omba.
“We have noted the efforts by Kwilu Foot Academy throughout the region and as CAF, we are keen to support such efforts to promote women’s football,” he added.
Along with the course, 150 balls were given out by CAF to the following communities: Muanda, Boma, Matadi, Songololo, Kimpese, Lukala, Mbanza-Ngungu, and Lufu-Toto. This was on top of the donated football boots, kits and playing equipment.
With a full-fledged sports and study centre, the Kwilu Football Academy greatly aids in the growth of women’s football in the area thanks to funding from the Kwilu-Ngongo Sugar Company.
In thanking CAF for their extensive efforts, the General Manager of the Kwilu-Ngongo, Patrick de Maroussem said: “Our vision through our Kwilu Foot department is to help youth through football across the Democratic Republic of Congo. The support of CAF is a validation of the work carried out by Diego Lacroix [Manager of Kwilu Foot] and his team. We also hope to inspire other companies in DR Congo and Africa to do the same” , concluded Maroussem.
The programme also includes a CAF C License coaching course which kicks off on 12 March.