Finding the next Coleman
Namibia’s quest to find the next Zenatha Coleman depends solely on active domestic leagues.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
WINDHOEK
The Brave Gladiators’ Zenatha Coleman is Namibia’s finest female footballer.
Having started with a pool of other players at the Gals & Goals programme, namely Annouscka Kordom, Anna Shikusho, Melissa Eises, Lovisa Mulunga and the likes, Coleman has exceeded expectations.
She has grown and matured through the ranks of the youth programme under the guidance and watchful eyes of former Gladiator coach Jacqueline Shipanga and Jacky Gertze, who ran the Women’s Football Desk.
The 28-year-old Namibian went on to play for the likes of Gintra Universitetas, Zaragoza, Valencia and currently Sevilla.
Recently she scored five goals to hand the senior women’s side a chance at the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations qualifiers, demonstrating that women’s football deserves a seat at the high table.
Modest and always playing for the flag, Coleman represents not only herself, but also her home town Keetmanshoop, and the girl child.
Namibian Sun caught up with one of her mentors, Gertze, who said that Namibia has a lot of potential in terms of grooming more successful female footballers.
“There are a good number of players who have the potential to make it to the professional ranks. Almost 10 out of 12 Women Super League clubs of last season has a player that can have a chance of being scouted.
“However, most scouting happens at national level, therefore the performance of the team is vital, as well as staying long enough in competitions for more exposure,” she said.
Gertze added that if the footballers continue to compete at international level, eventually the player with the best ability and required attributes will attract interest. However, she stressed that it is up to the particular player to put in the work.
Furthermore, she added that exceptional talent such as that of Coleman is not something you find every five years. “It’s possibly after 20 years that you will find a talent like that, combined with doing basic lifestyle self-management.
“But players are different. Hardworking players can achieve a lot… if scouts see them at competitions, they will surely be given the call-up. A lot also depends on the type of personality and character such talent has and how it will fit in situations. It’s always been our wish that more top players play professional football,” said Gertze.
She added that in general, professional leagues are few, therefore a lot of focus is on players whose countries are competing at the World Cup or the Olympic Games.
WINDHOEK
The Brave Gladiators’ Zenatha Coleman is Namibia’s finest female footballer.
Having started with a pool of other players at the Gals & Goals programme, namely Annouscka Kordom, Anna Shikusho, Melissa Eises, Lovisa Mulunga and the likes, Coleman has exceeded expectations.
She has grown and matured through the ranks of the youth programme under the guidance and watchful eyes of former Gladiator coach Jacqueline Shipanga and Jacky Gertze, who ran the Women’s Football Desk.
The 28-year-old Namibian went on to play for the likes of Gintra Universitetas, Zaragoza, Valencia and currently Sevilla.
Recently she scored five goals to hand the senior women’s side a chance at the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations qualifiers, demonstrating that women’s football deserves a seat at the high table.
Modest and always playing for the flag, Coleman represents not only herself, but also her home town Keetmanshoop, and the girl child.
Namibian Sun caught up with one of her mentors, Gertze, who said that Namibia has a lot of potential in terms of grooming more successful female footballers.
“There are a good number of players who have the potential to make it to the professional ranks. Almost 10 out of 12 Women Super League clubs of last season has a player that can have a chance of being scouted.
“However, most scouting happens at national level, therefore the performance of the team is vital, as well as staying long enough in competitions for more exposure,” she said.
Gertze added that if the footballers continue to compete at international level, eventually the player with the best ability and required attributes will attract interest. However, she stressed that it is up to the particular player to put in the work.
Furthermore, she added that exceptional talent such as that of Coleman is not something you find every five years. “It’s possibly after 20 years that you will find a talent like that, combined with doing basic lifestyle self-management.
“But players are different. Hardworking players can achieve a lot… if scouts see them at competitions, they will surely be given the call-up. A lot also depends on the type of personality and character such talent has and how it will fit in situations. It’s always been our wish that more top players play professional football,” said Gertze.
She added that in general, professional leagues are few, therefore a lot of focus is on players whose countries are competing at the World Cup or the Olympic Games.
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