By Rahim Abdul
The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has secured approval from the Confederation of African Football to conduct the CAF A coaching course in Malawi, ending a 10-year wait and opening a new chapter in the country’s football development.
The approval follows years of work by FAM to produce a locally tailored CAF A coaching manual, which has now been endorsed by CAF, allowing Malawi to resume offering one of Africa’s highest coaching qualifications.
National Football Coaches Association (NFCA) Chairperson Aubrey Nankhuni described the development as a historic achievement, saying the country’s football growth depends on producing highly qualified coaches.
Nankhuni said the milestone is the result of collective efforts by several football experts and praised those who contributed to developing the coaching manual that won CAF’s approval.
He singled out Benjamin Kumwenda, Captain John Kaputa and FAM’s technical leadership for their commitment throughout the process.
According to Nankhuni, Malawi currently has 47 CAF A licensed coaches and about 120 CAF B coaches, with the number expected to increase following the resumption of the programme.
FAM President Fleetwood Haiya said the approval will strengthen coach education, improve the quality of football and make elite coaching qualifications more accessible to Malawian coaches.
Haiya added that expanding access to advanced coaching education is expected to produce better trained coaches capable of raising standards in clubs and national teams.
FAM last conducted the CAF A coaching course in 2016 before CAF suspended the programme across member associations and directed each association to develop its own coaching manual aligned with CAF standards.
Malawi’s manual, developed from April 2025 with contributions from sports scientists at Malawi University of Science and Technology and other football stakeholders, has now received CAF approval, paving the way for the return of the prestigious coaching course.
