Corban announced on Monday afternoon that Likius Hafeni would be the new head women's soccer coach for the Warriors.
SALEM, Ore. – Corban University announced on Monday that Likius Hafeni has been promoted to the position of head coach for the Warrior women's soccer program, effective immediately. Former Warrior head coach Marty Ziesemer announced his resignation last week.
"Likius' passion for the game of soccer is obvious to all who know him," said Corban Director of Soccer Aaron Lewis. "He has been able to use the sport to gain remarkable experiences worldwide, and encourage thousands of people through his teams and after school programs. I feel that his faith, personality, coaching philosophy, and knowledge of the game fit fantastically with our long-term vision of the program."
Boasting an accomplished playing career, Hafeni competed for Ramblers F.C. in the Namibian Premier League (2001-2008) and then played for the Cascade Surge F.C. in Oregon in 2009. He also represented the Namibian U19 National Team at the World Youth Cup in Sweden, the Helsinki Cup in Finland, and the Southern African Ball in Botswana. Additionally, Hafeni was named the Player of the Tournament at the Pepsi Challenge Cup in Namibia in 1999.
"It is a privilege and an honor to be part of the Corban soccer community," said Hafeni. "I look forward to getting started. As a Corban graduate, I am excited to giving back to my alma mater. I believe, together, we can achieve great things."
Hafeni brings both international and domestic coaching experience to the Warrior women's soccer program. While holding his FA Level 2 UEFA B Coaching License, Hafeni is a FIFA Grassroots Coaching Educator. Overseas, he coached the Black Morocco Chiefs, a Division 2 team in Namibia during the 1998 season, while here in the states, he has served as an assistant coach with the Corban soccer programs since January, served as the head reserve team coach at Willamette University in 2015, and has coached club teams in Salem for the Capital Timbers. Additionally, Hafeni is an assistant coach on the Vancouver Victory and is the head of the Coerver Coaching Staff in Oregon. Moreover, Hafeni was voted Salem-Keizer's Volunteer of the year for his after-school soccer program that has included hundreds of students in a soccer and character building program.
Ziesemer leaves Corban having coached with the Warriors for 20 years while totaling over 200 wins. During his time, the Warriors won one regular-season title in 1999.
"Marty has been an outstanding ambassador for our athletics program for many years," said Lewis. "We appreciate the time and efforts he has invested for the benefit of our athletes. He consistently made it a priority to serve our teams well, focusing on the complete experience of student-athletes here at Corban. We thank him for his many years of service to Corban and wish him the best in this time of transition."
Hafeni officially begins duties for Corban on July 1.