A daunting journey towards Cosafa throne
Namibia's Brave Gladiators may have won the title in 2026, but their journey towards claiming their first-ever Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) Cup is one of pain, inspiration, dedication and a never-say-die attitude throughout the daunting years of development.
Many are praising the work of the current coach and administration of women’s football, but others dare to look back through the years of hardship and recognise those who came before them.
The team has become a perfect example of the phrase “Rome was not built in one day,” following their 2-1 win over South Africa's Banyana Banyana in the final of the Cosafa Women's Championship on Sunday.
Just like many other countries around the world, women’s football in Namibia had to transform due to stereotypes that football is “a man’s game.”
The team, initially established in 1992, two years after the country’s Independence, had to wait six years before playing their first international match.
The Brave Gladiators suffered a 4-1 defeat to Germany’s tertiary institution side under coach Rusten Mogane.
In their first official international fixture in 2003, Namibia endured a humiliating 13-0 defeat to South Africa in the 2004 Olympic qualifiers.
The impossible dream
These challenges did not deter those in administration or the many young women growing up in the dusty streets of Katutura from making the impossible dream possible.
Many players often had to sneak away from home to attend training, while finding football boots was difficult for some.
Yet this never stopped the Brave Gladiators from climbing the ladder through generations of talented players equipped with the will and desire to one day claim a title the country desperately yearned for.
The likes of Juliana Skrywer, Lena Noreses, Jacky Amutenya, Salome Iyambo, Stella Williams and Uerikondjera "Mammie" Kasaona were part of the growth and development of the team as senior players before its transformation into a new generation.
The name of Jacky Gertze, who has headed the women’s football desk, is also remembered during these times of glory.
Speaking to Sport Wrap yesterday, Gertze was overwhelmed with joy following the team’s important victory.
“This is a very big moment to cherish for the women’s senior national team. I congratulate the players on their execution.
“This is due to the snowball effect down to the under-20, under-17 and under-15 girls’ national teams.
“This is also a very big moment for all the players who have represented the national teams because this is a clear pathway showing how things have been done over the years,” said Gertze.
Acknowledgements
She further congratulated coach Lucky Kakuva and the technical team for guiding the side to victory.
“We also have to congratulate the president of the Namibia Football Association, Robert Shimooshili, his executive and the entire staff.
“We cannot celebrate this victory without praising the sports ministry for its work and support over the years.”
Gertze said the Confederation of African Football (Caf), International Federation of Association Football (Fifa), United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) and many other programmes have contributed towards the country's success in this tournament.
“The vision of where we wanted to go was very clear because we wanted to play at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), and we did so in 2014 when we hosted it and beat Zambia in the process.
“That tournament gave us a lot of inspiration and also led to the establishment of the Women’s Super League to ensure there is a pathway for young players who were participating in youth leagues under the Galz and Goals programme.”
Gertze also lauded the Namibia Sport Commission and everyone involved in the process.
“The top-flight league has been very important, and the investment of First National Bank (FNB) Namibia has made a massive impact on Namibian football.
“The owners of the Super League clubs have also played a pivotal role in the development of women’s football,” said Gertze.
She is optimistic that this victory will elevate Namibian football to greater heights, as it serves as encouragement for those in women’s football administration.
Gertze maintains that the goal is to qualify for bigger tournaments such as the Afcon and the World Cup.
The growth of women’s football is also attributed to individuals such as Jacqui Shipanga, a veteran administrator and former national team coach who has played a major role in player development.
Football analysts have also lauded the work of the coordinator of women’s football, Monica Shapua, for her involvement in the women’s game.
The winning present
Through all the trying times under different coaches, the Brave Gladiators have eventually found a winning coach in Lucky Kakuva.
Kakuva was appointed on 23 September last year, just a few months before the tournament.
He has added his name alongside Ricardo Mannetti, who won the men’s senior Cosafa tournament in 2015, and Timo Tjongarero, who was at the helm of the under-17 team that won the competition in 2016.
Kasaona proud
Brave Gladiators' former captain Kasaona also praised the team for its victory.
Kasaona, who represented the country at the highest level and also served as a coach, believes women’s football is on the right path.
“I am very proud of these girls because they have earned their names in the history books.
“It has not been an easy path for the players, but I am very proud that they have achieved this.
“I am sure the country will now be able to build from this victory so that we can qualify for bigger tournaments in the future,” said Kasaona.
- jesse@nsh.com.na
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