Coleman targets 15 league goals for club
Michael Uugwanga
BRAVE Gladiators captain Zenatha Coleman, who plays professional football in Spanish top flight league with the Valencia Ladies team, has said she aims to score over 15 league goals for her club this season, although she and her teammates are finding it tough to compete against the big teams.
Coleman has so far scored three league goals for her club from nine matches played.
Valencia is currently in 10th position in the Primera Division with 11 points out of 16 clubs in the league, which is spearheaded by Barcelona, who top the table with 25 points, followed by Atletico Madrid on 24 points.
Coleman joined Valencia last season from another Spanish outfit, Real Zaragoza Ladies team.
Valencia lost 3-4 away to Sevilla last Sunday (24 November) in a league match but was not among the scorers for her team, with Berta Pujadas-Boix and Mari Paz Vilas hitting the target, while Sevilla’s Aldana Cometti scored an own goal.
In an interview with Confidente Sport, Coleman who is currently in Spain said her aim is to better last season’s tally. She also said that she is very happy at the club and wants to continue improving her game in Spain, and she has no intention of leaving the club.
“I always compete against my previous statistics and records in view to better and beat my own record, so after scoring seven goals last season, I want to break into the double figures. Anything over 15 goals will be a massive boost. It is my second season here at Valencia and expectations are now much higher than the season before, as there are no excuses for adapting to Spanish football, culture, food, language and lifestyle. I have adapted well and this season I started with a bang, scoring three goals from four starts, two matches off from the bench. We just had a two-week European women soccer international break. I am very happy at Valencia. It is a huge prestige and privilege to be part of Spanish soccer. In fact, women football in Spain has grown beyond leaps and bounds. I am so happy and delighted to be part of this venture as I am learning new tactics and techniques. So far, I had no other offers… but I’m solely focused on Valencia,” she said.
Coleman said she will continue to work hard to set a good example and open the way for Namibian footballers who would want to play in Europe one day.
Since October, Spanish women football was on strike over pay and working hours.
About 188 players went on strike over wages, with clubs saying they cannot afford players’ demands due to the growth of women football.
“I leave boardroom matters to my agent and club. It is really tough to keep toe-to-toe with financially backed-up Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, who sign world class players. Top four is our target and any position higher will be a huge success.
“One part I have emphasised a lot is to keep on training hard. Back home in Namibia due to financial constraints, I could not practice as much on my physique or in any fitness studio, but over here, I am fortunate to have such luxury and do put in extra hours on my free time. I wish that many Namibian girls might get more opportunities to come grace their soccer skills beyond Namibia’s shores. Football is a short career and we must make the best of the limited years [to] show our skill, flair, love, passion and football desire to the public and fans out there,” said Coleman.