Over 30 Coaches Begin CAF License D Training In Northeast

The North-East Region Football Association (NERFA) has commenced its second Confederation of African Football (CAF) License D Diploma coaching education programme, aimed at strengthening the technical capacity of football coaches across the region.

The four-day training, which runs through Friday, has brought together more than 30 coaches from all constituent districts of the North-East Region, providing them with both theoretical and practical coaching instruction.

The programme is being facilitated by John Kesiter, Technical Director of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) and former head coach of the senior national team, Leone Stars.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, NERFA Regional Secretary General Sheku Bilo Conteh urged participants to approach the training with discipline, punctuality and commitment. He said the programme should be viewed as an investment in the region’s football development and should contribute to better-organised training sessions, safer coaching practices and stronger district teams.

Conteh noted that the current programme marks the second time CAF License D coaching training has been conducted in the region, describing it as evidence of NERFA’s continued commitment to developing local technical capacity.

Facilitator John Kesiter outlined the structure and expectations of the course, stressing the importance of combining classroom-based theory with practical sessions. He encouraged participants to actively engage in both aspects of the training, noting that modern coaching requires proper planning, methodology and continuous learning.

Kesiter also stated that, under his tenure as Technical Director, the CAF License D has gained greater recognition within the SLFA coaching framework compared with previous coaching license courses, positioning it as a more credible and internationally recognised standard for grassroots coaches.