Namibia: Women’s Super League Set for Kickoff

16 June 2011

Following two years of domestic inactivity, Namibia’s female footballers are set to start with an inaugural Women’s Super League on July 30, the NFA said in a statement yesterday.

In the league are Okahandja Beauties – who won the last Women National Championships played in 2009, Rehoboth Queens, NDF Cheetahs, JS Academy, Unam Bokkies and Poly Babes.

According to Jacqui Shipanga of the NFA Women’s Desk, the six teams will be involved in five rounds of football to ensure adequate action in the league which will end on June 9 2012.

“We will play a game for full 90 minutes, unlike in the past where we played 80 minutes only, to increase fitness levels of the girls,” Shipanga said in the statement. These teams were members of the Khomas Women’s League and according to Shipanga a decision was made to elevate them to a Super League.

“We will only have these teams in the Super League for now due to the standard of play and players they have and also the issue of travelling which could not be sustained if we include all regions,” Shipanga added.

“The other regional leagues will continue to play and the idea now for Khomas is to lobby the schools to take up the Khomas Women’s League and have a promotional playoff to the Super League in the future.”

According to the statement, the Women’s Super League concept was only realised after “some meticulous planning and considerations of relevant factors.

“We are very excited that NFA leadership, especially the SG, who was very much supportive towards launching this league as most of the players in the junior national teams will be exposed to competitive games at an earlier stage,” said Shipanga. She added that no coach without NFA coaching qualifications, a minimum D licence for the inaugural Super League season will be allowed to trade, while the stakes will be higher in the second season. Shipanga also urged team managers to attend administration and management courses offered by the NFA.The NFA Women’s Desk has also considered possible cup competitions, with October 28 reserved for the national Under-20 Championships and the NFA Women’s National Championships scheduled for June 1 2012.

Caprivi, Omusati, Kavango, Kunene and Karas are the regions that have senior leagues, while towns such as Okahandja and Gobabis have the Gals & Goals leagues for younger players.

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