Eliakim shines on international stage

• By Michael Uugwanga

FORMER Brave Gladiators captain and defender, Helvi Eliakim trail blazed her way into the history books at the just ended CAF Women Champions League tournament where she was selected as one of the four tournament coordinators.

A teacher by profession at Cosmos High School in Windhoek, Eliakim became the first Namibian to be selected to this highly regarded post at the just ended CAF Women Champions League tournament that was held in Morocco from October 30 to November 13.

Eliakim is the current Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA), general coordinator, a position she has held for the past three years with the help and guidance of FIFA instructor, Jacqueline Shipanga, Namibia Football Association (NFA)’s director for competitions, Titus Kunamuene, COSAFA Secretary-General, Sue Destombes and Khaled Nassar, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) head of competitions.

Eliakim is also FIFA’s accredited official.

This week Confident caught up with Eliakim to talk about her journey through the rough corridors of football to be named as a top CAF official at a major tournament.

“It was a great experience. I was assigned as one of the four General Coordinators of the tournament. As coordinators, we were responsible for match logistics throughout the tournament.

We charged with ensuring the smooth running of all matches.

Yes, this was my first CAF Women Champions League tournament experience. I earlier in the year (beginning April) coordinated the CAF Men Champions League match between Al Ahly and Al Hilal in Cairo, Egypt.

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