Senior women’s national team player and Windhoek City Sporting Club defender, Lydiana Nanamûs, was born in Rehoboth and raised in Windhoek, where she began playing football.
Her journey into football did not start because she loved the sport, but because she did not want to stay home on Saturdays doing household chores.
Nanamûs attended an after-school programme called the Bernhard Nordkamp Centre (BNC) in Katutura and, in 2009, discovered they had a girls’ football team called The Little Pumpkins, which she joined.
“We started by playing against boys on a gravel field on Saturdays and later began playing in the Galz & Goals league on Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings. Once I joined this team, I started feeling a sense of pride and belonging, and that was the start of a lifetime of learning and memories,” Nanamûs recalled.
When she joined The Little Pumpkins, Nanamûs felt right at home. During her first two years there, she worked with coaches and met teammates who made her feel appreciated.
“From a young age, I was drawn to any sport that had challenges. From the first time I kicked a football, I knew I had so much to learn, and I wanted to stay long enough to learn and become better,” she said.
Growing up, the defender was heavily involved in netball but realised she had found a new love when she began leaving netball practices and matches to attend football matches. She believed she had found a place where growth was guaranteed, a sport that redefined her childhood and gave her something to look forward to.
Nanamûs is a central defender but can play in any defensive position. She finds excitement in stopping opponents and acting as a barrier for her team.
“In my role, I am able to guide my teammates and also give them the confidence to push forward and be lethal in anything they do. I believe defence, especially central defence, is the heart of any team, and I take pride in what I do,” Nanamûs said proudly.
She is a fearless and passionate defender who was crowned the PstBet Namibia Football Association (NFA) Cup champion and named the female player of the tournament in 2024.
Her toughest match so far was against Ghana in 2023, where she had to find courage and strength to fight throughout the match. Every challenge, pass and tackle required immense mental strength, and she proudly recalls matching their intensity and showing resilience.
To prepare for matches, Nanamûs ensures she sleeps for eight hours the night before. On match days, she listens to classical music to calm her mind, then gives herself a pep talk to remind herself who she is.
Nanamûs credits her football career to every coach, technical team member and teammate she has worked with, saying each person has left her with something valuable to cherish and learn from.
“In addition to that, I often meet young girls who tell me that they look up to me, and this is something that drives me to be better each day,” she added.
Nanamûs holds an Honours Degree in Applied Chemistry and a Bachelor’s Degree in Science from the Namibia University of Science and Technology.
A football player she wishes to one day train with is Mbekezeli Mbokazi, for his excellent timing and ball-recovery ability.
Thus far, Nanamûs is a two-time FNB Women’s Super League champion, a two-time Dr Hage Geingob Cup champion, a one-time PstBet NFA Cup champion, a one-time FNB Women’s Super League runner-up and the 2024 PstBet Namibia Football Association Cup Player of the Tournament.
She is also a recipient of the Anita Gosh Award, which is presented to women who have made an outstanding contribution towards the empowerment of women and girls in Sport for All in challenging environments.
According to Nanamûs, the PstBet NFA Cup shaped her the most, as she had to work shifts and travel from Grootfontein to Mariental every weekend to play in the semi-finals. Despite the constant travelling and fatigue, she gave every match her all.
Nanamûs currently has 19 caps for the Brave Gladiators and 1 goal, and has previously played for The Little Pumpkins, Girls & Goals FC, and Tura Magic (now known as FC Ongos).
Looking ahead, she hopes to become an even better player and qualify for a major tournament with the senior women’s national team.