The buzzword dominating conversations among COSAFA coaches at CAF Strategy Conference

The move by CAF to host this strategy conference, on the back of the success of African countries at the recent 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada, is seen as a game changer that will prepare African nations better for 2030. Namibian national team head coach Colin Benjamin has more.

"Of course strengths strategically where the continent is going, I'm personally such a big fan of what is happening, what our CAF president has been trying to do with us as a continent to be able to come to a place where we are able to compete and not only participate,” Benjamin said. 

“And it was very, very obvious at the World Cup what happened there with African teams. I think we are at a good place and here being with colleagues, exchanging ideas, views, objectives, it's really, really a good experience and I think everybody takes something from this."

READ: Zimbabwe accelerates VAR implementation as training gets underway this month

Recent AFCON tournaments have shown that the gap between bigger and smaller nations has narrowed, with more upsets, as evidenced in the PAMOJA AFCON qualification matches. 

The big losses of Nigeria to Guinea-Bissau and Ghana shocked at home by Gambia, talk about this.

Benjamin, who has previously led the Brave Warriors to AFCON qualification, shocking Cameroon in the process, is the best-placed person to talk about this.

"You know, I think generally for us in the technical department or tactically, there's always room for improvement and now you also see that there's an influx of players that receive their development in Europe playing for African nations that has raised the bar,” the coach added. 

“But at the same time it's also very interesting to see how smaller nations like our nation, for example, don't have the luxury of having players playing at the highest level in  Europe but still have to compete against some of the power houses. 

“What methods is it that we can apply? What tactics is it that we can apply? How should we train our players, how should we prepare our teams. 

“So, those are some of the topics that I'm looking forward to. Another topic that's also of interest for me is the stadium issue. 

“We understand for example that yes we want to raise the bar but it's making it also so difficult for smaller nations like us to literally play away games all the time. 

“So, it's gonna be interesting views and discussions and hopefully we all go out with something positive from it and take back to our countries and teams."