Windhoek
Brave Gladiators defender Veueziwa Kotjipati has taken a step further towards life after football.
The Namibian internationally acclaimed female footballer has become the proud recipient of the German Westphalia C-Licence coaching certificate, while at the same time helping her club Armenia Bielefeld climb to the top of the German 3rd tier league.
Following in the footsteps of her compatriot, defender Mammie Kasaona, the 23-year-old Kotjipati has completed the C-Licence coaching course.
“In February this year, I was asked to assist with training the under-13 girls team in my town and from thereon everything just happened. In April, I was presented with the chance to attend a coaching course with classes every Wednesday and Saturday up to September.
“It is a good thing and I’m very proud of this achievement – all thanks to the encouragement and support from coach Jacqui (Shipanga), including the massive support here in Germany,” she relates.
The Windhoek-born Kotjipati is now part of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) grass-roots development programme until the end of 2018.
“I’m playing football and working with these young girls and for me it’s all about learning as much as possible, while improving my game and coaching expertise and knowledge. I feel blessed to be here now, since things can only get better.”
“So far, we have played 10 games, won nine and drew one, which is a phenomenal start indeed. It’s not easy considering the opposition we have in Bayer Leverkusen, Duisburg and Bochum but we will see how it ends. We are determined to gain promotion to the second tier league,” she said.