In March, Namibia witnessed the inauguration of the First Female President, and a cabinet filled with female positions, women continue to take up space not only in the political landscape but in the football fraternity as well.
The recently concluded Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup is testament to the strides that women are making, Uerikondjera Kasaona made history as the first female coach to coach and win the u20 men’s national showpiece.
Brave Gladiators key players, Lydiana Nanamus and Lovisa Mulunga are currently enrolled in the NFA C-License coaching course currently underway in Windhoek.
Lydiana Nanamus holds an Honors Degree in Applied Chemistry from the Namibia University of Science and Technology and has been a regular face in the women’s senior national team. The steady defender also attended the FIFA Grassroots Coaching Course, UEFA Assist Basic Coaching Course and obtained the CAF D -License.
“When I saw the course being advertised on the NFA platforms, I knew I had to enroll because I want to understand the game of football better and learn from a coach’s perspective; what roles coaches play in the development of players. I’m not going to play forever, and the aim is to give back to the sports that has given me so much over the years.
Speaking on the importance of women taking up key roles in football, Nanamus highlighted the impact that female coaches and administrators have on the girl child.
“I believe that young girls in sports should have a female figure to look up to and this is why it’s important for current and former players to take up these opportunities; we know the shortcomings we deal with, we know the opportunities that football can bring, who better to coach and advise the younger generation of the Brave Gladiators then the actual people who lived and walked in the same shoes.
NFA Coach educator and TDS Youth Officer, Nicolas Jacobs echoed the same sentiments
“Lydiana is an exemplary player on and off the pitch and I was fortunate enough to have coached. I’m excited that she took up this initiative, there are many opportunities for women in football especially in women
