15 October 2026 – The South African Football Association (SAFA) has launched a National Academy Licensing and Talent Pathway Initiative. The initiative is supported by the FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS) and it will strengthen youth development and create clear pathways for South Africa’s future football talent.
The initiative will establish national standards for football academies while also creating a structured pathway to identify, develop and advance talented young players across South Africa.
Built on two key pillars, the programme will advance Academy Licensing and Regulations. SAFA will introduce a national framework to guide the operation, evaluation and recognition of football academies. The framework will focus on governance, safeguarding, coaching standards, infrastructure, player welfare and long-term player development.
The programme will create stronger connections between schools, academies, clubs, provincial structures and national teams, ensuring that talented players are identified and supported through a clear and consistent development pathway.
Phase One: Stakeholder Engagement and Framework Development
Implementation will begin with nationwide consultations involving football academies, clubs, Provincial Football Associations, schools, universities, coaches, technical experts and other key stakeholders.
SAFA will also establish a National Academy Licensing and Talent Development Working Group comprising technical experts, academy representatives, safeguarding specialists and FIFA Talent Development Scheme advisors to guide the development of the framework.
SAFA CEO Lydia Monyepao said: “South Africa possesses an extraordinary wealth of football talent. Our responsibility is to create an environment where every young player has access to quality development opportunities. This initiative will help establish consistent standards across academies while creating a connected pathway that supports player progression from grassroots football to the highest levels of the game.”
SAFA Technical Director Molefi Ntseki: “Academy licensing and talent pathways are fundamental building blocks of a successful football development system. Through this initiative, we aim to raise development standards, strengthen talent identification and provide clearer progression opportunities for talented players throughout South Africa.”
FIFA Talent Development Scheme Faisal Chibsah and FIFA High-Performance Specialist: “By combining quality development environments with structured talent pathways, SAFA is taking an important step towards maximising the potential of young players across the country. This initiative reflects a long-term commitment to the future of South African football.”
The National Academy Licensing and Talent Pathway Initiative represents a significant step towards strengthening South Africa’s football development ecosystem by improving academy standards and creating clearer pathways for the next generation of players.
The programme got underway at SAFA House this week and will carry on in other provinces in the coming days.
Kwa-Zulu Natal Academies
Venues: KZN (Durban) Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel
Date: 16 October 2026
Time: 10:00 – 17:00
Eastern Cape Academies
Venue: PE (Gqeberha) Radison Blue Hotel
Date: 18 October 2026
Time: 10:00 – 17:00
Western Cape Academies
Venue: Cape Town, Protea Sea Point Hotel
Date: 20 October 2026
Time: 10:00 – 17:00
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