Open wallets key - Gertze

Namibia's women footballers need consistent financial support in order to one day brush shoulders with the best in the world.This is according to Jacky Gertze from the Namibia Football Association (NFA) Women's Desk, who said the Brave Gladiators need youth structures and consistent financial resources to one day qualify and compete at prestigious competitions like the Fifa Women's World Cup. Gertze was responding to questions on what steps the Gladiators need to take towards growth, to one day be counted amongst Africa's best by emulating the likes of World Cup debutants South Africa, Nigeria and Cameroon. Gertze said every national team needs youth structures and the consistent injection of resources, enabling players to be identified and groomed for under-17, u-20 and senior international competitions. She stressed the biggest problem in this part of the world is that corporates either inject millions into boosting teams, as Sasol did with Banyana Banyana - thus allowing them to focus on international friendlies and competitions - or settling for the Namibian way, where the focus is on youth programmes.“Up till now competitions have been lacking in the Cosafa region. For the first time this year we will have Cosafa u-17 and u-20 competitions (for women) and that announcement will help our players,” said Gertze. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is also expected to introduce an u-17 women's competition next year, to boost youthful players.Gertze, who is also a former national team player, emphasised that this will allow them to shake their reliance on the same crop of senior players, as they will be able to choose from other divisions as well. She said they had been struggling with the lack of competitions, but the new tournaments are already a 50% step in the right direction to develop local players into World Cup material. She further stressed that they want to stick to their philosophy of developing players from grassroots level until they qualify for the senior team, but they also need good resourcing for this to materialise. Sharing Gertze's sentiments is Thuba Sibanda, the head coach of Unam Bokkies. Sibanda has just returned from a Fifa Women's Football Convention, which was held in France, days before the World Cup kicked off. She said strengthening development programmes with children entering at 10 years old and building elite youth development programmes with quality should be Namibia's focus. “We need to also support the regions as they have a large pool to scout players from and to provide opportunities for the national teams, we need to play more matches, regionally and internationally.” Sibanda also emphasised the importance of coaching courses to ensure quality coaches. She further urged corporate Namibia to invest more in the women's game. Regarding the ongoing World Cup in France, Gertze said Banyana Banyana are the most well-prepared representatives from Africa, through their Sasol sponsorship deal. “Cameroon have talented, professional players. But their preparation was poor as the professionals are coming from their off-season. Lack of financial support might also cost them a chance at the cup,” Gertze said. She added that Nigeria also received no financial injection from their government, but they too have great players. Sibanda is putting her money on the Netherlands to lift the cup, which is being defended by the United States.LIMBA MUPETAMI

Open wallets key - Gertze

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-14

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Open wallets key - Gertze

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-14

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