Brave Gladiators star Zenatha Coleman has announced that she will no longer participate in future Cosafa Women’s Championship tournaments following Namibia’s 2–1 victory over South Africa women’s national football team in Sunday’s final.
The now 31-year-old Coleman, who played a crucial role in the team’s success, delivered an influential performance throughout the tournament and was rewarded with both the Player of the Match in the final and the Player of the Tournament accolades.
A teary Coleman said winning the title meant a great deal to her and the team.
She added that while she will step away from the regional competition, she will continue representing the Brave Gladiators in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign.
Coleman’s football journey began at a young age, playing for local teams in Namibia. She first made her mark at Tura Magic Ladies, now known as FC Ongos Ladies, before making the leap to professional football in Europe.
In 2016, she signed with Gintra Universitetas in Lithuania, marking the start of her European career. During her time there, she helped the club win multiple league titles and stood out in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, with her pace, technical ability and goal-scoring instincts making her a key player.
Her performances in Lithuania opened doors to more competitive leagues in Europe. In 2018, Coleman moved to Spain to join Real Zaragoza Femeninoin the Segunda División Femenina, before later signing with Valencia CF Femenino in the top-tier Primera División Femenina.
In 2020, she continued her European journey by joining Sevilla FC Femenino, further cementing her reputation as one of Namibia’s most successful female football exports.
Coleman has also been a cornerstone of the Brave Gladiators for many years. She made her debut for the national team as a teenager and quickly became one of its most important players. She has represented Namibia in numerous international competitions, including the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations.
Her performances for Namibia have often been inspirational, scoring crucial goals and leading by example on the pitch. Despite Namibia not traditionally being among Africa’s women’s football powerhouses, Coleman’s influence has helped elevate the sport’s profile in the country.
Naris’ retirement
Meanwhile, defender Emma Naris, who plies her trade for FC Ongos Ladies, also announced her retirement from the Brave Gladiators after the tournament.
For the past 15 years, Naris represented Namibia at Under-13, Under-15, Under-17, Under-20 and eventually the senior national team.
“Wearing the Namibian badge has always been more than just playing football. It has been a privilege, a responsibility, and one of the greatest blessings of my life. I am especially grateful to have captained at all these levels, including the senior national team. Leadership taught me discipline, resilience, accountability, and most importantly, the value of serving others,” she said.
She added that throughout her career, she had the privilege of working with different coaches who shaped her both as a player and a person.
“To my teammates over the years, thank you for the memories, the battles we fought together, the victories we celebrated, and even the defeats that strengthened our character. You became my sisters,” she said.
“To the supporters, the Namibia Football Association, my family, friends, and everyone who believed in me, thank you for standing by me through every high and low. This decision was not easy, but I believe the time is right to step aside and allow the next generation to rise and shine,” she said with satisfaction.
“The Gladiators will always hold a special place in my heart. Though I retire from international football, my love for the game and for Namibia remains unchanged,” Naris said.
On the awards front, Mighty Gunners Ladies player Melissa Matheus was named Goalkeeper of the Tournament after producing a series of outstanding performances for the Brave Gladiators throughout the competition. In addition to this accolade, Matheus has won all domestic titles with JS Girls FA, Tura Magic FC (FC Ongos Ladies) and with her current club last season.