Baptista accuses NFA of fixing matches

COACH of Khomas NamPol Ladies football side, Adelino Baptista says he is not happy with the way women football is being run in particular the 2020/2021 Namibia Football Association (NFA) Women ‘Bounce Back’ Super Cup that was held from December 4 2020 to February 27 2021.
His side lost in the semi-finals to Galz & Goals Ladies and he felt that the draw was allegedly manipulated by the NFA women’s desk in favour of what he calls ‘NFA women’s desk teams’ – Galz & Gals Ladies and Tura Magic Ladies.
The final of the ‘Bounce Back’ Super Cup was contested by Tura Magic and Galz & Goals, with Tura Magic beating their nemesis 1-0 to be the tournament winners.
Speaking to Confidente Sport the outspoken Baptista – an Angolan national who has been in Namibia for more than 21 years- said that his side was supposed to have played against V-Power and not Galz & Goals.
“I know that the draw for the Super Cup was changed. We were supposed to play V-Power and not Galz & Goals. We all know that they wanted two NFA teams (Gals and Goals and Tura Magic) to play the final,” he alleged.
“We all know how women football is being run in this country. Tell me when Namibian women football managed to qualify to a major tournament. I am not talking about Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) Cup or hosting the Africa Women Championship, but to qualify. Tell me what has (Nam) women football achieved in the last 20 years. I also want to see Namibia beating Nigeria, Morocco, Cameroon and South Africa who are some of the powerhouses on the continent.”
Responding to Baptista’s claims acting NFA technical director Jacqueline Shipanga, denied the allegation saying that the draw was fairly conducted in front of all the semi-finalist coaches.
“It was a clear draw and all the coaches were present during that draw. If you lose, you move on. The Super Cup was a big success. Let him (Baptista) take revenge in the league once it starts. We do not want such reports as this will scare away sponsors. He is talking of bringing in international players instead of him grooming his own players,” said Shipanga.
Baptista went on to say, despite getting offers from other clubs, he will for the time being stay put at Khomas NamPol.
“If I leave the team (Khomas NamPol) most of the players will also leave the team. Some players even told me that if I happen to leave they will also leave. I can only leave if the team no longer wants my service.
“I have received few coaching offers in Australia at some universities but I have not accepted them yet. I can also tell you that I have declined to coach the girls U-17 national team because of politics in football.”
Baptista who also holds two other coaching jobs, at Young Rangers in the first division and Loyal International football academy, is a qualified coach with a Confederations of African Football (CAF) C licence.
Previously he played club football in the Namibia Premier League (NPL) notably for Tigers, Oshakati City, African Stars, Young Ones, Eleven Arrows and Blue Waters.
The NFA Women desk is yet to pronounce itself regarding when the much awaited NFA Women Super League starting date.