Richard Jakobus April, the Okahandja FC women’s team head coach, has attributed his team’s dismal performance to various factors, including inadequate training facilities.
Despite currently occupying the bottom of the log standings with zero points after 10 matches in the FNB Women’s Super League (WSL), April remains hopeful for a turnaround in fortunes next season.
In a recent interview, April pointed out the challenges his team faces, such as the long distances travelled to away matches and the lack of suitable training facilities. He highlighted the strain on players caused by exhausting travel conditions and insufficient rest, which is exacerbated by uncomfortable transportation.
“Our poor performance can be attributed to several factors, including the long distances we travel to our opponents’ fields. The girls often arrive exhausted due to inadequate rest during travel. Additionally, our training grounds consist of gravel, hindering essential training exercises, especially for goalkeepers.”
Despite the winless streak and the challenges faced, he expressed satisfaction with the team’s improvement and optimism for the second leg of the season. He believes that addressing their shortcomings will lead to a significant transformation in the team’s performance.
“The morale among the players is high, and I’ve seen considerable improvement in their game. I firmly believe that the second leg will witness a turnaround in our results. Our first win is within reach, starting with our match against Ramblers. “We’ve been diligently working on rectifying our weaknesses, and I’m confident we’ll emerge as a different team,” affirmed a confident April.
In league standings, Ongos Ladies maintain their lead with 28 points, followed by Khomas Nampol with 22 points and Girls and Goals with 21 points.
At the bottom, Ramblers occupy the 10th position with six points, followed by NUST Babes in 11th place with three (3) points, and Okahandja at the bottom with zero (0) points. – mkambukwe@nepc.com.na