AfricaPress-Tanzania: YANGA Princesses’ head coach, Edna Lema, has revealed that so far there is still no certainty in the Women’s Premier League title quest, despite the one-point difference between her side and league leaders Simba Queens.
Yanga Princesses lost the league’s lead after conceding a 3-0 defeat to Simba Queens in a clash which took place at Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam early this month.
Simba Queens lead the standings with 39 points, with Yanga Princesses placed second with 38 points after taking part in 15 games.
Edna said: “My team still have high hopes of doing well this season and possibly winning the Women’s Premier League title despite the fact that we are behind by a point with the Simba Queens.”
She disclosed: “One point in football is not much and anything can happen so every team should play and win their matches, as for the championship, the league’s climax will sort it out.”
“We still have a chance to do well and achieve our goal of winning the championship so our fans should continue to support us and hope.”
According to FIFA data from a 2019 survey, women account for just seven percent of licensed football coaches worldwide.
Tanzania’s Edna is one of a handful of female football coaches. She is currently the assistant coach of Twiga Stars, which is the country’s senior national women’s soccer team.
Yanga Princesses have never beaten the Women Premier League’s defending champions, Simba Queens, who won the title last season.
Simba Queens are standing up tall in all four games they played against Yanga Princesses.
Edna opened up about her football journey as she never thought she would one day become a football coach.
Discouragement, few opportunities, and no female role models made her path a difficult one. She credits her confidence and the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) for where she is now.
She stated: “I can say they are behind my success through the immense support they continue to give me to ensure I reach my goals.”
This is because when you talk of the three female coaches in the country Edna Lema’s name is one of them so I am grateful to TFF and I believe they have good plans for me,” The Gaffer submits.
Edna has been coaching the national women U-17 team for four years now.
Female coaches still face skepticism from some Tanzanian fans but many are supportive.
She noted: ”They are quite capable. If they attend more courses they will do even better.”
Even if soccer followers look at their performance, female teams did well in various competitions last year and the U-17 team went on to COSAFA finals and won under Edna’s tutelage.
Globally, only a handful of female coaches have crossed over to coach men’s teams.
Edna is optimistic that she may be the first to do so in Tanzanian football.
She stated: “So I want to see myself one day train a male team at whatever level. To see that I can successfully execute what I envision as I face the men.”
With every coaching session, Edna hopes and prays for a future that has more women coaching the game she loves.
