Shipanga sees positives in German defeat

By: STAFF REPORTER

THE future of Namibian women’s football looks promising, coach Jacqueline Shipanga said in the aftermath of the Brave Gladiators’ narrow defeats to the German student side last week.

A Brave Gladiators side featuring a blend of youth and experience lost 1-0 against the German students in Windhoek on Thursday, and on Saturday, the two sides played out a repeat scoreline in Swakopmund.
According to Shipanga, the team shows admirable determination and a willingness to compete against the best in the world.
“This German side have some big name players, experienced players, professionals, but for our ladies, it was about giving them that chance to play against some of the best in the world and it has done them a lot of good going forward,” Shipanga said.
She added that having a predominantly youthful team bears testimony to the huge pool of talent available in the country.
She highlights the Unicef-endorsed Galz and Goals project started four years ago as the main source of scouting for talent.
“It is not just about playing but the discipline on and off the field that these ladies are showing is very commendable and thanks to our development partners, we can sing praises of a job well done,” said Shipanga.
Shipanga said the Brave Gladiators will have another international game before the end of the year.
“The Women Super League will end on the first week of August and after that we have school exams. But in time we will decide on who and when we will play again before year-end.”

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