Young Gladiators captain Kordom off to the States

Brave Gladiators coach Jacky Shipanga has selected Young Gladiators captain Annoushka Kordom to go and play college football in the United States.
Kordom has been selected as the beneficiary of a full scholarship to play college football in the US, while studying a course of her choice.
The head of the NFA Women’s Department, Jacky Gertze, said they received a letter from former Ramblers player Likius Hafeni, who has been appointed as the Corbin Warriors head coach, saying that he wanted to assist a Namibian girl.
“He really wanted to help a Namibian girl because he follows the women football development programme (Gals & Goals) and had the confidence that there will be a scholar athlete from this programme,” she said.
According to Gertze, Shipanga had a list of graduates in the different women’s national teams who are pursuing different careers in the country. “They too could be selected but there was one youngster that has given it her all in women’s football for the past 10 years since the age of nine.”
She added that Kordom has excelled in academics and football and she has no doubt that the 18-year-old will scoop the 2015/ 16 Women Super League Young Player award.
Gertze said it was a long process of communication between the Women’s Department and coach Hafeni, who advised the department on how to get Kordom to the US.
She said it took them three months to get the young footballer’s dream of going to the States a reality.
“Kordom has always committed herself to the women’s football programmes and has never ever neglected her duty as a national player. She perfectly juggles between education and elite sport and that’s the key,” she said.
The scholarship is for four years and Kordom will be studying towards a degree in medicine.
She will first accompany the Brave Gladiators to Germany before leaving for the US by 25 August, as the season starts in September.
Gertze thanked Hafeni, saying: “As NFA Women’s Department we will forever be grateful for coach Likius Hafeni for making this call to help a Namibian player.”

KAINO NGHITONGO