Gladiators wallop Algeria

The national women’s football side, Brave Gladiators, overcame Algeria 3-1 in their final preparation match ahead of the TN Mobile Confederation of African Football (CAF) African Women Championship (AWC). The match was played at the Namibia Football Association (NFA) Technical Centre in Windhoek this past Saturday. Rita Williams opened the score for Namibia in the 28th minute, and the two teams went to the half-time break with the same score line. In the second half, Gladiators captain Uerikondjera ‘Mamie’ Kasaona doubled the scoreline after rebounding in a ball from the goalkeeper in the 71st minute. Zenatha Coleman scored the third goal for Namibia after she was brought down in the box on the 82nd minute and made no mistake converting from the penalty spot. Algeria scored their consolation goal in the 89th minute from a free kick by their ferocious defender Sadou Habiba. Speaking to Nampa after the game, Gladiators coach Jacqueline Shipanga said she was happy with her team’s performance, but was concerned with the team conceding goals in the last minutes of the game. “The only concern we have right now is Zambia in our opening game next week. The girls’ performance today was brilliant and I am happy because they played based on instruction. “But one thing we still need to address is the team conceding goals in the last minute, because if we play against teams like Nigeria or Ivory Coast they can punish us for that,” said Shipanga. Algerian head coach Azzedine Chih said he was happy with his team’s performance, because the Namibian side was physical and that is what his side needed. “In Africa we play physical football and the girls today saw what they need to expect when we play in the tournament. Credit should be given to the Namibian side for giving my girls a wake-up call,” Chih said. The TN Mobile CAF African Women Championship is set to take place in Windhoek from October 11 to 25. WINDHOEK–NAMPA