Strengthening Leadership in Southern African Football

JOHANNESBURG – The Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA), in collaboration with the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF), recently concluded a pivotal workshop focused on empowering women’s football administrators and leaders. The three-day event, held in Johannesburg, South Africa, from March 3-5, 2026, centered on enhancing leadership capacity and accelerating the development of the women’s game throughout the Southern African region.

A Five-Year Commitment to Regional Capacity Building

This workshop builds upon COSAFA’s existing five-year online Women’s Leadership Programme, designed to boost capacity within the region. The partnership with CAF underscores a broader commitment to professionalizing and growing women’s football on the continent by equipping administrators with the necessary tools and frameworks for sustainable progress at both zonal and national levels.

Day One: Foundations of Leadership

The first day of the workshop featured guidance from CAF Instructor Thuba Sibanda, who focused on establishing clear expectations and objectives. CAF Head of Women’s Football, Meskerem Goshime, delivered a presentation outlining the growth of women’s football in Africa, highlighting milestones achieved and the increasing competitiveness of African teams globally.

The growth and evolution of women’s football in Africa, outlining milestones achieved under CAF’s women’s football strategy and highlighting the increasing competitiveness of African teams and clubs on the global stage. Meskerem Goshime, CAF Head of Women’s Football

Further leadership and communication strategies were explored under the direction of CAF Instructor Jules McGeever.

Day Two: Strategic Planning and Zonal Vision

The second day focused on strategic planning, with McGeever emphasizing its importance in driving measurable development. Sibanda shared lessons from Comoros, demonstrating how targeted planning can unlock broader development objectives. Member Associations engaged in SWOT analyses, fostering peer learning and identifying regional priorities. Discussions also centered on developing a strong and sustainable COSAFA zonal brand for women’s football, leveraging competitions for promotion and growth.

Day Three: Charting a Course for the Future

The final day was dedicated to translating strategic planning into actionable steps. Participants worked through zonal and Member Association-focused planning sessions, addressing vision-setting, gap analysis, priority identification, and the definition of measurable goals. Sibanda and McGeever facilitated discussions on accountability and support structures to ensure implementation across the COSAFA zone.

The workshop concluded with a session outlining next steps for the zone, followed by closing remarks and a formal ceremony.

Looking Ahead

This workshop represents a significant investment in the future of women’s football in Southern Africa. By equipping administrators with the knowledge and tools they need, COSAFA and CAF are laying the groundwork for sustainable growth and increased competitiveness on the continental and global stages.

FAQ

• What was the main goal of the workshop? To strengthen leadership capacity and accelerate the development of women’s football in Southern Africa.
• Who hosted the workshop? The Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) in partnership with the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF).
• Where was the workshop held? Johannesburg, South Africa.