THE national women’s under-20 football side began training in earnest yesterday as the Young Gladiators prepare for the Fifa World Cup qualifier first-leg match against Ghana on February 18.
A squad of 25 players – which includes seven under-17 players who are set for action against South Africa in Johannesburg this weekend- will vie for the 18 places available to the trip to Accra.The team also welcomes new faces Lena Noreses, Lorraine Jossob, and Albertha Dawes.’The team will be led by a few players that recently were given opportunities to train camp and travel with the gladiators to get much needed experience. Our strategic plan for 2014 entails that we not only strengthen the pool of selection for players but also identifying potential young and aspiring coaches to be part and parcel of the technical team and thus give them the necessary,’ Shipanga said. The training camp will be conducted by identified coaches who hold A-licences from the Deutscher Fussball Bund (DFB) and also NFA-accredited qualifications.’These coaches are Joseph Swartz, Blacky Tjingaete and goalkeeper coach Herman January, who played recently for SKW and Orlando Pirates.’Shipanga explained that these coaches have demonstrated commitment towards the women’s desk through various projects during the past few years, such as by coaching various local teams in the Women Super League.In the squad are: Agnes Kauzuu, Hertha Shimuketa, Janeth Shidolo, Jessica De Oliveira, Lovisa Mulunga, Eddelissingh Naris, Lena Noreses, Lorraine Jossob, Vitapamwe Kamahene, Veweziwa Kotjipati, Albertha Dawes, Thandi Malo, Annouscka Kordom, Anuschka Meyer, Mellisa Matheus, Tuliki Mundjele, Carmel Don, Tomalina Adams, Mavulu Selma, Vistorine Shaangula, Depney Naobes, Juliana Blou, Jane Toivo, Monique Khrone and Samantha Hendricks.
