Women football returns with Super Cup
By Michael Uugwanga
WOMEN football is set to make a return this week after a year and half absence due to lack of sponsors and Covid-19 restrictions that brought sport to a standstill.
Last week the Namibia Football Association (NFA) women desk announced that it will start with the NFA Women Super Cup running from December 4 until February 2021, with the competition seen as the starting point to gradually return women football onto the sports scene.
The last time women football was played was in the 2018/2019 season in the NFA/Skorpion Zinc Women Super League that ended in May of last year.
The NFA Super Cup competition is sponsored by former Brave Gladiators coach and now acting technical director of the NFA, Jacky Shipanga.
The competition is expected to be contested by the country’s top 14 female football clubs namely, Galz & Goals, Okahandja, Right Way, Omaheke, V-Power, Namib Daughters, Ramblers, Okakarara, Khomas Nampol, Girls Football Academy, UNAM Bokkies, Tura Magic, Arrows Ladies and Nust as announced during a draw that was held last week.
The winning team will walk away with a cool N$40 000 in prize money, while teams from outside the capital will each receive additional travelling and accommodation money.
The NFA Technical Centre will play host to most matches in the opening round while Ramblers sports field in Pioneers Park will host one match.
Teams such as Okahandja, Ramblers, Okakarara, Arrows Ladies and Nust will be making their football debut.
The first match will see Right Way taking on Galz & Goals tomorrow at 17h00, while the rest of the matches will take place on Saturday when V-Power takes on Namib Daughters, UNAM Bokkies vs Khomas NamPol, Tura Magic vs Nust Babes, Okahandja vs Omaheke Queens and Ramblers vs Okakarara.
Tura Magic who are the reigning Super League champions are the favourites while current NFA Super Cup holders Khomas Nampol who won the Cup in 2018 will be looking to reclaim their glory.
Coach of Ramblers Hafeni Ndeitunga said he is using the competition to find the right formula ahead of the Super League that is set to start after the cup competition.
“It took a period of almost two years to form and shape this squad. We have a problem of consistency and we are still looking to add to our squad. We have 15 players. We are not looking at the top prize but we would like to enjoy the occasion. If we win games it will be a bonus,” said Ndeitunga.
Coach of coastal side Arrows Ladies, Salmon Nakale said his team is still a work progress and will not put too much pressure on his players.
“We are definitely a team under construction and we are looking at using this cup as a good preparation for the Super League next year. We will give it our best. I do believe we are a team that in truth is a work in progress.”
Coordinator of Okakarara, Wilson Nguvauva said he is happy to see his team given the opportunity to take part in the tournament.
“We are very happy and honoured to participate in the Super Cup. We have around 35 players. It took us three years to discover the current crop of players. Our expectation in the cup is to expose our players at the highest level,” said Nguvauva.
Each team received medical supplies from the Directorate of Health and Social Services.