PIONEERING midfielder Annouscka Kordom is one of the Brave Gladiators’ most recognisable faces.
Based in the USA since 2015, where she stars for Corban Warriors, the 22-year-old balances her football career with pursuing a bachelor’s degree in health science and business, with emphasis on marketing and sports management.
Here are her career highlights in brief:
Who was your sporting hero as a child?
Tough question. We had some awesome footballers when I was a kid, but if I had to choose one it would be Zinedine Zidane. Hardworking machine, he had a lot of flair. He was really good with the ball at his feet and a powerhorse in the air.
Who has been your best teammate to date?
Emma Naris. She is the definition of hard work. Playing the game with her was 10x more fun. Another engine in the midfield, or central defence. It doesn’t matter where she plays, she always gives a 110%. Looking forward to playing with her again some day. She always made me look good.
Who is the toughest rival you’ve faced?
The women’s game overflows with great players but if I’d have to chose it would be Lena !Noreses locally. I could never get past her. Internationally it would have to be Refiloe Jane from South Africa. She’s really good. A very talented player with great vision. Really smart too.
Who is the best coach you played under?
Jacqueline Shipanga no doubt. The woman made me the player I am. She played a big role in who I am as a person today as well.
What was your most memorable competition?
COTIF International Women’s Tournament in 2015. This is an annual invitational tournament held in L’Alcudia, Valencia. Memorable for so many reasons. We got to play against really, really good players but it was also where two of our players got professional contract offers and their success is our success as teammates, coaches, managers.
What is the highlight of your career to date?
Nothing beats playing in the African Women’s Championship now known as the African Women’s Cup of Nations at home, in front of friends and family. Those were the best 8 minutes of my life.
What has been the lowest moment of your career?
In 2018-2019, I tore my ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) and was out of the game for a whole season. Hard is not the best way to describe what I went through during that time but yeah, recovering was really hard both mentally and physically. One of the toughest times in my life.
Name your most memorable performance by a Namibian athlete/team?
It will always be the opening game against Zambia at the African Women’s Championship at home in 2014. We worked really hard for months and the team gave one of the best performances ever. I am proud to have been a part of that. The energy was electrifying and when Stella and Thomalina scored, it felt like the stadium would collapse. I would love to relive something like that again some day.
