Women football fans have their say

Soccer, or football as it is usually known in Africa, is followed passionately throughout the continent, from Morocco in the far north down to Namibia.

You'll know when an important match is being played either locally or abroad, because it will be all over everyone's Facebook timeline.

More specifically, these days, women are up there with men when it comes to debating and analysing teams.

They spill drinks and sometimes even threaten to smash smartphones or TV sets out of frustration.

Times have moved on so fast that women footballer lovers are no longer being stereotyped because of their love for football, and their opinions and analyses of matches are appreciated. Namibian Sun spoke to 11 women and asked them which clubs they like locally and internationally, which players they enjoy watching and of course which clubs they cannot stand.



Shandy Andreas: I support Blue Waters locally. Internationally I choose Manchester United every day. Those two teams taught me unity and strength and to always stand tall after falling. Also, I have individual favourites like Zenatha Coleman (Valencia), Virgil Vries (Kaizer Chiefs) and Willy Stephanus (Lusaka Dynamos). We all come from the south and they all make me so proud.

I want to take my son abroad to watch United play some day. He eats and sleeps football. My favourite player will always be David Beckham. His foot just knew how to cross a ball. I watched him play ever since I can remember. At the moment I hate Arsenal. I recently made a bet worth N$500 for Arsenal to lose, and well, we all know how it ended. Arsenal ended up beating United 2-0.



Fidelia Paulus: I support Arsenal. I stuck with the team even when we were at our lowest. I never gave up on the team. I will not spend more than N$1 500 on replica kit. My favourite player is Liverpool's Sadio

Mané; I love his work ethic. He is an outstanding player. Did you see his backheeled goal the other day?



Joyce Manga: Locally, Unam FC are my team. Internationally I support United. I think the craziest thing I ever did was smash my phone against the wall after Unam lost to Tigers in the Standard Bank Top 8 Cup. My favourite players locally are Aprocious Petrus (Eleven Arrows) and Jonas Dax Sakaria (Blue Waters). The contribution to their teams are superb. Internationally it has to be David de Gea, because he has been United's best and most consistent player. He is extraordinary because he makes everything look so easy. I can't even remember how many times he saved United from losing. Locally, I don't like Tigers and their unexciting history. Internationally, its Liverpool based on 1958, when United's players died in a plane crush. Liverpool mocked United and even coined a song 'Your players have been made manure'; it was sad, but they celebrated. I will buy club replica items at any cost that's affordable to me.



Martha Ankambo: Locally I support Tigers and internationally United. At the moment I like the way a lot of players perform, so it's difficult to pick a favourite. The craziest think I plan to do is watch them play live at Old Trafford and run onto the field during halftime (watch this space). If I like the design of my club's replica items, whatever they cost, I will buy them. I really don't like Arsenal and Liverpool fans. They talk and boast too much, but their clubs don't even have enough trophies to back up their talk.



Ndapewashali Shapwanale: The Mighty United is my club. Glory, glory Man United. Friendships have ended because of my love for this club. I'm joking; I had a United curtain in my hostel room at university and I had my office chair covered with United's fabric until it got stolen. What is the price tag when it comes to my team's replica items? De Gea at the moment is my best player. I think he is a brilliant goalkeeper; many did not give him much of a chance when he started, and here we are. Dislike is a very strong word. What I can say is that I have difficulty connecting with and warming up to a certain club nicknamed 'The Gunners'. Some would say I dislike the club, but that can never be true.



Salome Tjimune: I support Gobabis outfit Young African locally. Internationally I choose Chelsea. I almost smashed my TV a couple of times while watching my team play. N'Golo Kanté is my favourite player. I would most probably only spend N$500 on club replica item. I really don't hate any club, even if they beat Chelsea 20-0.



Rejoice Tjituera: I support black Africa and Unam locally. Internationally I support Arsenal. The craziest thing was removing my T-shirt and jumping up and down when my team scored and I only realised I was only in a bra after the excitement faded. I would spend a maximum of N$600 on team replica item. I also love Zenatha Coleman. She is the perfect example of what pure hard work, determination and talent can do for you. I'm not a huge fan of Tura Magic, simply because they beat my team, Unam, every chance they get.



Sonya Somses: I support Chief Santos locally and United internationally. If I ever happen to watch United live at Old Trafford I will take off my shirt (mind you I don't wear bras) to celebrate the first goal. I'm willing to spend N$1 000 on my team's replica items. My favourite player currently is De Gea because without him my team would probably be last on the log. But my all-time favourite is Ronaldinho because he made playing football look so easy. I really don't like Liverpool, because their local supporters are loudmouths who have never seen their so-called big team lift the English Premier League trophy.



Beverly Mumbango: Everyone knows I love the incredible United. We are a special team. I support no other club apart from them because I cannot divide my love. I will spend whatever money on my club; why not. Who does it bother? I don't do crazy things, I just support in peace. My favourite player is De Gea; that cat can catch balls. I just didn't like the fact that they hired Mourinho to coach my special team. He almost destroyed us. I really can't stand Arsenal fans. They just stress me; did you see the way they were celebrating when they beat us 2-0.? I couldn't sleep.



Micheline Nawatises: Brave Warriors are my team. Internationally I'm with Liverpool. I really just want to run onto the pitch and fist-bump my favourite Warriors player soon. I, however, cannot reveal his name. I would only spend N$300 on team replica items. I cannot really say if I dislike a club; most have their way of doing things.



Kavenamuua Mbetjiha: I support United. I don't think I have done anything specifically crazy while supporting my club; maybe just scream and shout while watching matches and getting involved in odd debates here and there, when someone 'pokes' me about my team. I spend any amount required on replica items. There is no budget for United! My favourite player; that is tough one because I love them all, but I would I have to say Ander Herrera. There is just something about his calmness and composure on the pitch and the way he plays its hypnotising to watch. Honestly, I don't dislike any club, in fact I have favourite players in most clubs. I do, however, dislike certain club fans.



LIMBA MUPETAMI