30 May 2013

Goalkeeping is a crucial position in football as it requires special skills for one to be a good goalkeeper, former Zebras goalkeeper, Matshidiso Sexton Kowa has said.

Giving words of encouragement at the closing ceremony of the goalkeepers trainers’ course at Lekidi Training Centre on May 26, Kowa said the course is very important because it addresses the technicalities of a critical position in a game of football.

Kowa said for one to be a good coach, they have to be able to demonstrate the tactics to the players.

“Remember you are subordinates to the head coach and you should always respect them because a good head coach will always consult a goalkeeper coach before the game,” he noted.

He implored participants to share and transfer skills acquired from the course so as to produce reputable goal keepers.

He indicated the importance of trainers delivering what they have learnt on the course and not the display of a certificate in their houses.

FIFA course instructor Alejandro Heredia said the course is aimed at improving the quality of goal keeping in Botswana.

Heredia said participants should not perceive each other as enemies though they are competing for the same position, adding that they should communicate and share ideas.

He indicated that the participants’ interest in the course made it very successful as they put in a lot of effort.

He advised the trainers to use the knowledge to improve sport in the country, “I hope your country produces some of the best goal keepers in future,” he noted.

The instructor said he will be writing a good report with regard to the course to FIFA and further thanked Botswana Football Association for organizing the course.

BFA acting technical director Phillimon Makhwengwe said the association undertakes such courses to enhance skills of all personnel to take them to another level.

He said they want to impart knowledge on people they will entrust their children with.

“We want to train people who are disciplined because they deal with children from different backgrounds,” Makhwengwe said.

He further said they want to develop people who are competitive adding that they do not encourage bad manners such as coaches inciting bad actions among players.

Thirty participants, among them, active and former goalkeepers, and goal keeper coaches attended the five day course.

ENDS