Namibia’s Brave Gladiators may not have made it to the semi finals of the tn mobile African Women Championship, but their performances in the tournament have left a lasting impression with their followers and rivals alike.
The Gladiators were swamped by hundreds of admirers at the Sam Nujoma Stadium, despite being eliminated from the tournament after going down 2-0 to Nigeria in their final group game on Friday.
Namibia were edged out of a historic semi final berth to Ivory Coast, who drew 1-1 against Zambia to finish as runners up in Group B behind Nigeria.
After another battling display, Gladiators head coach, a content Jacqui Shipanga, said the team’s impressive performances throughout the tournament gave testament to how much her side had improved over the years.
“I don’t think the fans are disappointed at all. I think it is very clear that they know where we come from, how we started developing women’s football in this country,” Shipanga told reporters.
“It has been a real struggle but with the help of the media and our government coming through we are able to be here,” she said.
“I think our fans know that these girls have potential. As a coach, I am absolutely so proud. There’s no way that I can say I am disappointed. We played great teams and they brought out the best in us,” Shipanga enthused.
“When my president [of the NFA John Muinjo] asked me can we go for it, I told him we are probably gonna field 16 and 17 year-olds. We are not actually ready. 2016 might just be the ideal year,” she added.
Namibia were undone by two lapses in concentration in the first half which led to the Nigerian goals scored by defender Gloria Ofoegbu and striker Francisca Ordega.
On 36 minutes, Nigeria were rewarded a free-kick after Eixas handled outside her area and Ofoegbu curled home for the opener.
Two minutes later, the Super Falcons increased the tally through Ordega. The Sweden based forward took advantage of hesitant defending when latching onto a through pas from Evelyn Chiedu, rounded the onrushing Eixas and rolled the ball into an unguarded net.
However, they matched the tournament favourites stride for stride for the most part and would have registered on the scoresheet had it not been for woeful finishing.
Player of the match Zenatha Coleman persistently terrorised the Nigerian defence, with one of her forays into the Nigerian box resulting in a shot with the outside of her boot that trickled past the upright.
On 60 minutes, Coleman’s delivery from a free kick picked out Memory Ngonda, who placed her header inches wide of the target.
“They [Namibia] gave us a good run for our money. It was not an easy game at all. We knew we were not only going to play the home team, but the crowd as well,” Nigerian midfielder Cecilia Nku said in reference to the fighting spirit and quality of the Gladiators.
In a show of appreciation for their supporters, the Brave Gladiators took a lap of honour after Friday’s match, holding up a banner that read “Thank you Namibia”, a moment that will further endear them to the fans, who have cheered for the team from the first to the last touch during the tournament.
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