South African football club Kaizer Chiefs have announced that three of their coaches have obtained the Confederation of African Football (CAF) A Diplomas, marking a significant step forward for the club’s technical development.
Rory Minnaar, Jimmy Jambo, and Unathi Mabena completed the required training courses to earn the qualification, which allows them to coach at the highest levels of international football. The achievement has been described by the club as a major milestone for both its coaching staff and its wider development structures.
Kaizer Chiefs’ Sporting Director, Kaizer Motaung Jr, praised the trio for their accomplishment and highlighted its importance for the club’s ambitions.
“We are extremely proud of the trio. Coaches Jimmy, Rory, and Unathi have made us proud with this achievement, which allows them to coach at the highest level in international football. It’s a remarkable accomplishment for the Club and our players,” he said.
The newly qualified coaches occupy key roles within the club’s development system. Minnaar works as the goalkeeper coach within the Kaizer Chiefs Youth Development Academy (KCYDA) and is now among a select group of only five goalkeeper coaches in the country to hold the CAF A Diploma. Jambo is responsible for managing the club’s under-15 side, while Mabena leads the recently established Kaizer Chiefs Ladies team.
The club says the achievement reflects a broader commitment to maintaining high coaching standards across all levels of its structure, from youth development to senior football.
“Modern football requires coaches to continuously stay up to date with the latest developments, and we want to ensure that high-level coaching is available not only for the senior team but across all seven teams representing Kaizer Chiefs,” Motaung Jr added.
The three coaches now join other CAF A licensed staff members already working within the academy, including Vela Khumalo and Mohammed Bhamjee. The club believes this growing pool of qualified coaches will enhance player development and competitiveness across multiple competitions.
“We trust in the ability of our coaches to impart their acquired knowledge and expertise to our boys in the KCYDA and with our young ladies as they compete in the Gauteng Development League, DStv Diski Challenge and the Sasol League,” Motaung Jr said.
Kaizer Chiefs have positioned youth and grassroots development as central to their long-term strategy, and the latest coaching qualifications are expected to further strengthen that vision. The club has also underlined the importance of investing in both men’s and women’s football structures.
In a statement, Kaizer Chiefs congratulated the three coaches on their success, describing it as a “tremendous achievement” and a proud moment for the organisation.
The CAF A Diploma is one of the highest coaching certifications available on the continent and is seen as essential for those aiming to operate at elite levels of the game.
