Beauties FC owner and head coach, Salome Iyambo says their biggest achievement in the upcoming TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA qualifiers goes beyond winning games.
The team won the 2024/2025 Namibia Women’s Super League which qualified them for the regional competition.
Beauties are the most successful team with 13 league titles in Namibia but will be hugely tested in the COSAFA qualifiers where they will be making their debut.
They have been drawn in Group A, what many term as “The Group of Death” alongside two-time CAF Women’s League Champions Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies of South Africa as well as Malawi’s Ntopwa FC and Zesco Ndola Girls from Zambia.
Only the winners of the group advance to the semi-finals alongside the best second-placed team.
The CAF Women’s Champions League | COSAFA Qualifiers will take place in Johannesburg from 22-31 August 2025.
Iyambo is aware of the task at hand.
“Qualifying for this tournament is already a milestone, but competing fearlessly, and inspiring young girls back home to dream bigger, would be our true victory,” said Iyambo from Namibia.
Okahandja Beauties FC was co-founded in 2003, the same year Iyambo joined as a player.
They had a name-change in 2015 – but before then, they had already won their maiden Namibia Women’s Super League title in 2005. Their success continued and they are the most successful team with 13 leagues titles.
As a former vice-captain of the Brave Warriors – the Namibia Senior Women’s National Team – Iyambo brings a lot of experience into the team, both as a coach and an administrator.
In 2018 she served as a National Sport Development Officer at the Namibia Sport Commission and also worked as an Intern for Member Associations Division at the FIFA Headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland. Iyambo would later become the FIFA Women’s Football Consultant for Africa.
Since 2016 she has been a CAF Women’s Football Instructor having obtained her CAF C-Coaching License in 2008.
Administratively, Iyambo holds an International Masters in Management, Law and Humanities of Sport from three joined universities in Europe (England, Italy, Switzerland).
She is currently pursuing a CAF B Coaching Licence Diploma, and due to CAF coaching regulations, she will not sit on the bench for the COSAFA qualifiers as a head coach but will play the assistant role.
“I will be there with the team, and I don’t think this will have any negative effect at all,” added a confident Iyambo.
As well as being team owner and coach, she doubles up as the Director of Projects and External Affairs at the Namibia Football Association.
Iyambo took time out from her busy scheduled to speak to CentreCircle.online ahead of the tournament…
First of all, who is Salome Iyambo and what is your history in women’s football?
I am a former Brave Gladiators player and vice-captain, with a lifelong passion for the women’s game. Football has been an integral part of my journey, shaping not only my career but also my commitment to developing and uplifting the sport for the next generation.
Your role as the Director of Projects & External Affairs at the NFA – what does it entail?
My role involves overseeing football related projects and managing all aspects of the association’s international affairs, ensuring that our engagements and initiatives align with the growth and development of the game locally and globally.
Being coach and owner of a team is a very burdensome role – how do you cope and what keeps you going?
I am a head coach, who is fortunate to work alongside a highly dedicated and cooperative technical and management team. This shared commitment allows me to balance the responsibilities effectively, and my passion for the sport keeps me motivated every single day.
What made you form this team and what are your hopes and dreams for the club?
I did not form the team; it was co-founded in 2003, and I joined as a player that same year to date. Being part of Beauties FC in my current role is my way of giving back to the game that has given so much to me, both personally and professionally. My hope is to see the club continue to grow, compete at the highest levels, and inspire many more young women to pursue football.
What inspired the name Beauties FC?
Originally, the team was called Okahandja Beauties FC, named after the nearest town to our capital, Windhoek. To encourage inclusivity and welcome players from beyond the town and region, the name was later simplified to Beauties FC in 2015.
You are the most successful team in the Namibian Women’s Super League with 13 titles – how do you view the upcoming CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA qualifiers?
The CAF Women’s Champions League Zonal Qualifier is a highly competitive tournament, bringing together the best teams from each country. It presents a challenging yet exciting opportunity for us to test our abilities against top-tier opponents.
What are your thoughts as you will be one of two teams among the 10 in the field that will be making their debut?
We are grateful for the opportunity to participate and are looking forward to measuring our courage, character, and ambition on this new stage.
Looking at the draw, many have called it the Group of Death – with the two-time champions Sundowns Ladies in the mix. What is your thinking and what can we expect?
Indeed, Group A is a challenging group. Being drawn alongside the two-time champions is a source of motivation for us. We will approach each match with courage, taking it one game at a time, and giving our best in every encounter.
Have you perhaps thought beyond the COSAFA competition and already seeing yourselves at the CAF Women’s Champions League?
As debutants, our immediate focus is to perform well in each match in the qualifiers. We will take each game step by step, aiming to build momentum along the way.
As a former vice captain of the Brave Warriors… what do you tell your girls ahead of the competition?
I have been in similar positions where you are now, felt the nerves, heard the noise, and carried the weight of expectation. I know the battles ahead, and you have earned your place to be in this competition. When you step onto the field, play for each other, for the badge, for the nation, and for the dreams you carry. Enjoy the moment and play for every young girl who believe she can because of you.
What for you will be the greatest achievement in this upcoming regional tournament?
Our greatest achievement would extend beyond match results. It would be about showcasing our growth, resilience, and team identity. Qualifying for this tournament is already a milestone, but competing fearlessly, and inspiring young girls back home to dream bigger, would be our true victory.
When you look at women’s football in the COSAFA region, what comes to mind? Is there any improvement over the years?
Yes, there has been notable improvement in terms of the number and quality of competitions for women and girls, and the results speak for themselves. However, we must continue working collectively to elevate the game in all spheres both within the region and across the continent.
Funding plays a huge role in sport, more so in women’s football… How much will the lack or presence of funding affect your performance?
Football is a resource-intensive sport, and funding is essential at every level. As the saying goes, “you reap what you sow.” Talent alone is not enough to achieve the best results. Adequate funding allows for proper nutrition, medical support, conducive training facilities, modern performance-enhancing technologies, incentives, and the recruitment of skilled athletes and technical staff among others. Without it, progress is hindered; with it, the possibilities are limitless.
In terms of training and preparation, how are things going and when are you expected in South Africa?
Our preparations are progressing well within the resources available to us, and we will be arriving in South Africa in accordance with COSAFA guidelines.
2025 CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA Qualifiers:
Group A
- Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
- Ntopwa FC (Malawi)
- Beauties FC (Namibia) – DEBUTANTS
- Zesco Ndola Girls (Zambia) – DEBUTANTS
Group B
- Gaborone United Ladies FC (Botswana)
- Young Buffaloes (Eswatini)
- Kick4Life (Lesotho) – DEBUTANTS
Group C
- Herentals Queens (Zimbabwe)
- CD Costa do Sol (Mozambique)
- Olympic de Moroni (Comoros)
By Matlhomola Morake
