Angula, a star in the making
By Michael Uugwanga
NAMIBIA’s women football has plenty of stars that are nearing the end of their time in the spotlight such as Stella Williams, Mammie Kasaona, Thomalina Adams and Veweziwa Kotjipat.
However, the future of women football in Namibia lies on the shoulders of Asteria Angula, who has taken the sport by storm following her superb display for her local club Galz &Goals FC last Friday in the opening match of the 2020/2021 Women Super Cup, of which she was voted the best player on the day, after helping her team win 4-0 against Right Way at the Technical Centre in Windhoek.
Goals from Megen Schuster, Laesa Hanze and Mammie Kasaona were enough to send warning shots to the rest of the clubs that the team meant business in the competition.
This week Confidente Sport caught up with Angula to find out more about her football journey.
“The thing about me is that I was already an athlete at both primary and secondary level as I used to do athletics, netball, basketball and gymnastics, so it was so easy for me to play football when the Namibia Football Association (NFA) introduced the Galz and Goals football project in 2011. I was spotted in 2011 while playing for my primary school Bethold Himumuine Primary School and I was the lucky one to be selected on the same day for the U-13 national team.
“Also the reason why I made it in football is because I used to play for the school’s boys team, which really helped me develop into the player I am today,” Angula explained.
Angula’s breakthrough in football came after she was selected to represent the Under-15 girls’ team at the 2014 Summer Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Nanjing, China.
Normally in Namibia it is hard for a parent in particular a mother to encourage her daughter to play football, however this was not the case with Angula, who at one point had to decide on whether to play netball or football.
“Boys at school used to tease me, saying that women football sucks as women do not know how to play football but my friends used to encourage me to play.
“The reason why I continued to play football is because I was always in the football system even though I was also selected to play for the youth netball team, but thanks to my mother who encouraged me to play football. Coach Mervin Mbakera also played a big role as he used to push me in my football and Lovisa (Mulunga) has always been motivating me,” she said.
Together with her teammates, Angula is currently focusing on the Super Cup even though she is very much aware of the stiff competition from cup holders Khomas NamPol Ladies and reigning women super league champions Tura Magic Ladies.
“Last time in the Super Cup we ended third. Tura Magic finished second and NamPol won the cup. This is a new season and new beginning. I have high hopes in the cup. Tura Magic has most of the national team players and NamPol has more experienced players while our team comprises of mostly U-20 and junior national team players, so every team has a chance to win the cup,” she said.
Angula acknowledged that her all-time favourite footballer is her fellow national teammate Lovisa Mulunga, which has earned her the nickname ‘little Lovisa Mulunga’. Her other nicknames are Bulldozer and The Rock.
Below are results from the Women Super Cup
V-Power Angels 2-1 Namib Daughters, UNAM Bokkies 1-5 Khomas NamPol, Tura Magic 17-1 NUST babes, Okahandja 4-3 Omaheke and Ramblers 4-4 Okakarara.
The Super Cup final is scheduled for February 27 2021.