By Staff Reporter
WINDHOEK – Following Brave Gladiators’ splendid performance during last year’s locally hosted CAF Women Championships, all eyes in local women football will now shift to the upcoming 3rd edition of the NFA Talent Identification Tournament (TIT), set for the 21-22 of this month at the NFA Technical Centre here.
According to the lead scouter and coach of the NFA women teams, Jacqui Shipanga, the TIT is a great platform to scout and enlarge the pool of national players in various age groups.
“After the successful hosting of the African Women Championship, the women’s department would like to continue long-term development that will result in Namibia performing beyond expectation. One of the main objectives of the TIT is to scout for potential and talented players to attend a school of excellence training camp later this year,” Shipanga says.
According to her, the NFA women’s department’s aim goes beyond coaching young women in football; it also promotes the empowerment of young women.
“Sport is about healthy lifestyle choices, that is why the women’s department takes the opportunity, together with its partners GIZ and UNAIDS, to address socially relevant issues such as HIV, alcohol abuse and teenage pregnancy. The UNAIDS Protect, the Goal Campaign, Star for Life, Blue Cross and NAPPA will provide information material for the event. A mobile clinic will also be available for free HIV counseling and testing,” says Shipanga.
The event is becoming more popular after it was first launched in Oshakati a few years back and last year saw the northern regions teaming up to send a strong regional team from Ohangwena sponsored by NAWISA (Namibia Women in Sport Association).
The NDF (21 Brigade FC), according to Shipanga, will be the team to watch this season, as they acquired the signature of Brave Gladiator captain Mammie Kasaona. Defending Champions JS Academy will have to dig deep following an exodus of players due to educational reasons, while Poly Babes will be boosted by the return of stalwart defender Lorraine “Lalas” Jossob from Germany.
The other two contenders will be the Katutura-based Challengers, UNAM Bokkies and newly established team from Havana and Okuryangava location, V-Power Angels. New teams are encouraged to register.