Beyond the Goalpost: A Story of Resilience, Collaboration, and Namibian Women in Football

As a content strategist, creative director, and filmmaker, Othilia “Tutu” Mungoba’s collaboration with Windhoek Physiotherapy began with a shared vision intended to spotlight the Arrows Ladies Football Club, a team the physiotherapy practice financially supports and advises.
After immersing herself in the players’ world, she started attending training sessions, social gatherings, and initiating one-on-one discussions before casting five leading roles for a documentary. What began as a client-vendor relationship, soon evolved into a joint production venture.
Mungoba’s company, Tutu Creative Concepts, partnered with Windhoek Physiotherapy, sharing equity, production costs, and technical support. “It became a collaboration, not just a transaction,” she explains.
For Salmon “Eto” Nakale, the Arrows Ladies Football Club coach and manager, the project was personal. “We wanted to highlight the challenges these players face, but also their triumphs and how they push through adversity,” he says. The team’s origins date back to 2019, when Coach Eto, once a coach in men’s football, was encouraged by Jackie Shipanga, the Namibia Football Association’s (NFA)Technical Director, to pursue grassroots coaching certifications in women’s football. Inspired, he founded Arrows Ladies FC. Months later, physiotherapist Munashe Chinyama joined, solidifying the team’s foundation.
The documentary, Beyond the Goalpost, delves into unspoken struggles, including the monetization and underfunding of women’s sports, gender stereotypes, and societal perceptions. “Many players live in shanty towns, left abusive homes, or face labels like ‘lesbians’ just for playing football,” Mungoba shares. “As a filmmaker, I was not ready for the emotive connection that I was going to have with the players. Many of them are quite young, below the age demographic of 25,” she said, adding that her own son’s proximity in age to the players, deepened her empathy.
The title itself carries dual meaning. Literally, it explores life “beyond the goalpost” as the players dream of playing on international pitches one day while balancing careers with family roles; and figuratively, it’s a beacon for Namibian women in sports, urging administrators and government to invest in grassroots development.
Mungoba’s role was all-encompassing as she took on multiple roles including writing, directing, editing, graphic design, and music arrangement. “It’s been formative, but I’ve learned that creative equity matters. Respecting the supply and production chain is crucial,” she reflects.
The process demanded six months of involvement ranging from attending games, visiting the players’ homes, and even casual gatherings to capture authentic stories.
For Mungoba, the documentary is a “mouthpiece.” Plans include screenings alongside the team’s travels to spark dialogue. “We want to inspire referees, coaches, administrators and everyone in the sports fraternity,” she says. Distribution of the documentary aims to transcend beyond live screening events, with plans to expand to digital platforms to amplify its message.
The premiere, set for 19 March 2025 at NFA Soccer House, will channel proceeds from ticket sales (priced at N$30) into health and sanitary packs for the Arrows Ladies’ junior and senior teams. Featured players including Iyaloo Jacob, Jekohasana Kamatjipose, Helena Iipinge, Elsabe Reinecke and Hope Silusava symbolize resilience, with their stories interwoven with Namibia’s broader struggle for gender equality in sports.
“This isn’t just a documentary. It’s about modernization of creative content, hope, and proving that storytelling can shift perceptions,” Mungoba concludes.