WINDHOEK – After playing an instrumental role in the overall transformation of women’s football in Namibia and in the process winning the love and respect of fans and opponents during a glittering career, Brave Gladiators head coach Jacqueline Shipanga is set to part ways with the team.
In an exclusive interview with New Era Sport, Shipanga revealed that she reached a mutual agreement with the Namibia Football Association (NFA) executive to resign from the Gladiators coaching post after the conclusion of the upcoming CAF Women’s Championship, to be hosted by Namibia this month.
Shipanga, a former Brave Gladiator herself who was widely admired for her never-say-die attitude during her playing days, however said she would not entirely divorce herself from the women’s game but be taking up a more senior position within the NFA Women’s Desk structures.
Upon moving into her new position, Shipanga says, she aims to double her efforts in taking the women’s game to greater heights in Africa and internationally, while also putting special emphasis on the induction of more women into various structures of the NFA Women’s Desk.
“When my contract expired, I opted not to make an extension because I felt it was time to move to a more senior position where I can enhance and develop the game further, rather than just being a mere coach. It has been five exciting years of a great career but as a person I also have to grow and plough back my experience into my community,” said Shipanga.
“I will step off after the CAF Women’s Championship and accord other upcoming females a chance to coach the women’s national team. As of now, my goal is to qualify for the world cup and if Namibia hopefully happens to qualify, I will maybe go for a one-year contract but that’s if we qualify.”
She also disclosed that highly experienced incumbent Black Africa head coach, Brian Isaacs, has been roped in as assistant coach to help with various aspects of the game.
In a bid to beef up her technical department during the Women’s Championship, Shipanga said she would soon appoint a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) consisting of current and former coaches such as Bobby Samaria and Norii Kaanjuka, amongst others.
As for the Gladiators’ participation in the upcoming Women’s Championship, Shipanga said: “It is not about defeating Zambia but about winning our first game even if it is against Ghana or Nigeria. We need to give our fans and sponsors and of course ourselves the momentum. It is not negotiable at all. We must win our first game, it’s very crucial.”
Shipanga who is due to announce her final 21-member squad this morning, is pleased with the response of the players as they fight for the final places in the team.
Namibia opens her maiden appearance at the continental women’s football tournament on 11 October at 17h00 against Zambia at the Sam Nujoma Stadium, and take on Ivory Coast on 14 October and then face Nigeria on 17 October to complete their Group A assignments, all at the same venue.