SEVENTEEN local coaches are attending the second phase of the CAF A Licence coaching course which started on Monday at Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) headquarters.

Early this year, FERWAFA was given the green light by the continental body, CAF to hold the prestigious course for the first time in Rwanda following the success of the 2015 CAF B Licence course.

The course is aimed at helping the local coaches upgrade their qualifications in line with modern football practices. The first phase of the CAF A Licence coaching course was held in mid-January this year.

The participating coaches drawn from top flight clubs are holders of the CAF B Licence. CAF instructors, Mukeba Joseph (DR Congo), Mupenda Mohsin (Burundi) and Rwanda’s Rutsindura Antoine are the facilitaters.

According to the statement from FERWAFA on Monday, Rwandan instructor Rutsindura said that the CAF A Licence will go a long way in improving the technical expertise of the game in Rwanda.

"The course is further evidence that FERWAFA is indeed committed to take football to greater heights by having the most educated coaches in Africa. This is a great achievement for Rwandan football,” said Rutsindura.

CAF has instituted a licensing system which will force coaches to fulfill some criteria before coaching in Africa. All coaches must hold either a management diploma or a Caf A License also called Caf Pro licence.

CAF is following steps made by several countries in Europe that require coaches to hold either a management diploma or a Uefa Pro License coaching licence. The on-going Caf A licence will end on July 30.

Coaches attending the two-week long course include: Nshimiyimana Eric (AS Kigali), Casa Andre Mbungo (unattached), Jean Baptiste Kayiranga (Amavubi U20 head coach), Thierry Hitimana (unattached), Vincent Mashami (Amavubi U20 Assistant coach), Yves Rwasamanzi (SC Kiyovu) and Innocent Seninga (Police Fc).

Others are Abdou Mbarushimana (AS Muhanga), Emmanuel Ruremesha (Gicumbi Fc), Justin Bisengimana (Gicumbi Fc), Gatera Moussa (Isonga), Alphonse Gatera (Espoir Fc), Abdou Bizimana (Unattached), Ally Bizimungu (Bugesera Fc), Hamissi Sogonya (Unattached), Sosthene Habimana (Sunrise Fc) and Godefroid Okoko (Mukura VS).