CAF U17 GIFT Profiles: Otjiwarongo Sports Academy and Okakarara Golden Ladies
The second edition of the Confédération Africaine de Football’s (CAF) Girls Integrated Football Tournament (GIFT) will be staged in Harare, Zimbabwe from December 8–18, 2025, with eight club sides from around the Southern African region competing for the title.
The teams are drawn from across the region for this development initiative, which forms part of CAF’s expansive plans to grow women’s football on the African continent by providing opportunities at all levels for players and coaches.
We will profile all eight sides, continuing with the two Namibian entrants, Otjiwarongo Sports Academy and Okakarara Golden Ladies.
OTJIWARONGO SPORTS ACADEMY
The academy is based in the Namibian town of Otjiwarongo, around 250 kilometres north of the capital Windhoek, and has a growing reputation for developing talented players.
They have been drawn into Group A at the CAF U17 GIFT and will take on South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, Luwinga Academy from Malawi and home team Mpopoma Sports Academy.
Their opening fixture is against the latter on Monday, December 8 at 15:00 CAT (13:00 GMT).
“We are going there to compete and play our best football and hoping to make our country proud,” academy chairperson Raisameua Kasaona told Namibia’s New Era Live website.
“This is another great opportunity for the girls to showcase their talent at what will probably be the highest level of football. The girls are very happy, the spirits are high and they are looking forward to the occasion.”
The academy has some recent experience of international competition, having featured in a tournament in South Africa.
“We played teams like Gaborone United and Big Sister FC in Botswana at the Two Nations Tournament held in South Africa in July this year,” Kasaona added.
Fixtures:
08 Dec, 15:00: Mpopoma Sports Academy vs Otjiwarongo Sports Academy
11 Dec, 12:00: Otjiwarongo Sports Academy vs Mamelodi Sundowns
14 Dec, 12:00: Luwinga Academy vs Otjiwarongo Sports Academy
OKAKARARA GOLDEN LADIES
Almost 300 kilometres north of Windhoek are Okakarara Golden Ladies, who are also looking to make their mark.
Team president Wilson Nguvauva says there is excitement among the group for what will be a first-ever trip outside Namibia, providing exactly the kind of experience the CAF U17 GIFT was created for.
“This is our first time to go outside the country and it will boost the morale of the players. It will also expose my players and technical staff to international standards,” he said. “This is a big experience for them. They need support and the CAF GIFT tournament might be the scouting ground for other top teams in the world.”
The team have been drawn in Group B and begin their campaign against Zambia’s Aguila Stars Women on Tuesday, December 9 at 15:00 CAT (13:00 GMT).
They will also meet South Africa’s Refilwe FC (December 12) and Lesotho’s Lishoeshoe (December 15).
Fixtures:
09 Dec, 15:00: Aguila Stars Women FC vs Okakarara Golden Ladies
12 Dec, 12:00: Okakarara Golden Ladies vs Refilwe FC
15 Dec, 12:00: Lishoeshoe vs Okakarara Golden Ladies
