Brave Gladiators Legend Vewe Kotjipati Retires from International Football

Brave Gladiators Legend Vewe Kotjipati Retires from International Football. Vewe Kotjipati, a stalwart defender for the Namibia women’s national football team—nicknamed the Brave Gladiators—has officially announced her retirement from international duty at the age of 33. The decision marks the end of a lengthy and dedicated international career.

Kotjipati first broke into the Brave Gladiators setup as a teenager and has represented her country with distinction over many years. SABC Sport+1 Professionally, she has spent more than a decade playing in Germany, turning out for clubs such as Arminia Bielefeld, Borussia Mönchengladbach II, and most recently, FC St. Pauli.

In her announcement, Kotjipati described her decision to step away from the national team as deeply emotional but made with gratitude. “Representing Namibia has been one of the greatest honours of my life,” she said. SABC Sport By choosing to retire at this stage, she said she wants to open a new chapter and dedicate more focus to her club career.

Her retirement also underscores her commitment to giving back to women’s football in her homeland. Kotjipati shared her desire to support the growth of the sport in Namibia: “One day I would love to become part of the people that push the growth of women’s football … I want to give back to … my beautiful country Namibia.”

Her departure comes at a time when the Brave Gladiators are preparing for a crucial Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualification match against Zambia. Her absence was noted by the national team’s technical staff.

As Kotjipati shifts her full attention toward her club career, her legacy in Namibian women’s football is secure—she leaves behind a record of resilience, leadership, and international experience that younger players will surely look up to.