Nkululeko Khwezilomso Malgas, manager of the North-West University (NWU) Soccer Institute, has obtained a CAF A coaching licence, a development he says will strengthen player training and coaching standards at the institution.

Nkululeko linked the achievement to the institute’s mandate of producing players ready for the professional game.

“This is very big for the institute and the community at large. Our players are used to a high level of coaching, and we have been practicing that for a while. Our mandate is clear to produce players of high standard, equal to demands of elite level,” he said.

The NWU Soccer Institute continues to position itself as a pathway for student athletes seeking structured football development alongside academic programmes.

“As you know that high-performance sport deserves a high level of coaching. It requires all staff members to arm themselves with high qualifications. Football is evolving a lot, we cannot be left behind,” he said.

He added that the institute’s role extends beyond player development to building coaching capacity within the province and surrounding regions.

“I want the NWU community to utilise my services more to grasp as much as they can. I’m willing to assist and mentor where possible. We also need more student athletes to get their much-needed minutes with us for their portfolio of evidence,” he said.

Nkululeko said he plans to enrol for a coach instructor course, which will allow him to support local coaches in the SAFA Ngaka Modiri Molema region and beyond.

He also pointed to progress in women’s football coaching structures.

“I was happy when coach Puleng Thuso attained her CAF B licence, as she is one of the few qualified female coaches within SAFA North West,” he said.

The CAF A coaching licence is one of the highest qualifications issued by the Confederation of African Football. It prepares coaches to operate at professional and elite levels, focusing on tactical planning, match analysis, leadership and advanced player development. The licence is required for coaching in top-tier competitions and signals that a coach meets continental standards for high-performance football.

Nkululeko Khwezilomso Malgas, manager of the NWU Soccer Institute