Former winger Iiyambo scores big as NFA director

From hitchhiking to matches to becoming the Namibian Football Association’s projects and external affairs director, Salome Iiyambo has spent her career proving that a passion for football can indeed pay the bills.

Born at Uupumako village in the Ohangwena region, Iiyambo was exposed to football at a young age.

“Growing up back in the village the boys had an odd number when they played football, and with me being the girl and the smallest, I was asked to be goalkeeper. When one of the boys got tired, they would replace me in goal and I would get the chance to play outfield,” she says.

The retired winger says some members of her family initially did not support her football dream, especially her mom, who constantly reminded her that football would never benefit her.

“But my mom was the first person to appreciate my master’s degree in sport administration. She initially told me that Frank Fredericks is the only Namibian to have benefited from sport, because he was doing an individual sport.

“My mom was also not happy that I left my teaching career to become a youth officer. I was a youth officer for over 10 years at Okahandja, but I also doubled up as sport officer for a few years because I was acquainted with the portfolio.”

Iiyambo, who was comfortable playing both as right-back and right-winger, was part of the Beauties outfit that dominated the domestic women’s league for over a decade.

The speedy winger started playing for Beauties while still a pupil at Rundu College of Education.

“I am very grateful for both Jacqueline Shipanga and Jackie Gertze for giving me an opportunity to play for the Beauties after spotting me at the college games,” she says.

Iiyambo says she used to hitchhike to Windhoek every weekend to play for Beauties.

“It was such a nice feeling travelling from the rural area to come and play for a historically rich outfit like Beauties – the only club I have ever played for in my entire career.”

Apart from playing football, the former teacher was also a great athlete who excelled in the 800m and 1 500m races. She has also won Namibian national colours in basketball by representing the women’s national team, most notably, during a regional tournament in Zambia.

Iiyambo represented the Tertiary Institutes Sports Association of Namibia team at the Confederation of University and College Sport Associations Games on numerous occasions.

“One of my fondest football moments was during the Women’s Cosafa Cup competition when the Brave Gladiators reached the final of the competition. We really enjoyed a fantastic run in the competition, only to lose 3-2 to South Africa in the final,” she says.

“We also beat Angola and South Africa in Windhoek during our time. No other Namibian women’s team has ever done that till now.”

Iiyambo has scored a hat-trick during the historic 6-1 win over Botswana at a well-attended Sam Nujoma Stadium in Katutura.

She also battled for Namibia in the African Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers.

And, although they never managed to qualify for the finals, they lost with respectable scorelines.

Iiyambo had the opportunity to get a feel of playing football overseas when she turned out for Switzerland outfit Team Furttal Zurich 2, albeit in the second league.

The former Brave Gladiators vice-captained was prompted to play for Zurich during her internship for member associations division at international football body Fifa’s headquarters in Zurich, and as such she was not allowed to play in a professional set-up although she was already in the retirement age.

WORK, FAMILY

The holder of an international master’s degree in management, law and humanities of sport is currently the owner and coach of 13-times league winners Beauties.

The team, which participated in last year’s Total Energies CAF Women’s Champions League Cosafa qualifiers, have engaged with powerful continental giants like holders Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa, as well as Malawi’s Ntopwa FC and Zesco Ndola FC from Zambia.

“Apart from my daily administrative duties NFA duties, I have also been a CAF women’s football instructor since 2016. I obtained my CAF C-coaching licence in 2008. I regret not having finished my coaching badges earlier,” she says.

Iiyambo says she is currently in the process of obtaining a CAF B-coaching licence.

“Although I am allowed to coach my team, the CAF regulations do not allow me to coach during international matches.”

The retired star and mother of two boys, who was known as the ‘donkey’ of the team because of the tireless shift she put in during every game, says she is content with her football journey and proud of being the first and only woman soccer consultant in the world.

“I am grateful for the people who have played significant roles in the different phases of my football journey. My cousins James (Shaketange) and Frans (Atshipara) who allowed me to play football with them as a little girl, and former NFA technical director Klaus Stark,” she says.

“Stark was also the first women’s national team coach and I have learnt a lot from him both as player and a coach. Timo Haingura from Rundu is also the reason why I have attended so many Fifa courses during my schooling years at Rundu. I also hold the two Jackies very high.”

Iiyambo says the former director of sport also played a significant role in always encouraging her to do her best.

She also appreciates the motivation of Hope Powell, the first full-time head coach of the England women’s team.

Her advice to young players is to be respectful to all.

“Be humble and disciplined. Stay away from harmful practices and live a healthy lifestyle by carefully watching what you’re eating or drinking.”

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