nelfi ibanez She is a Bolivian trainer and a great example of her ability to do her job professionally. 11 years ago, Ibáñez was just days away from becoming the first female coach to oversee an official men’s professional soccer tournament with Hijos de Acosvinchos in Peru’s second division. His case made headlines around the world because it was something revolutionary in the sport.
Nelfi Ibáñez, who has experience in Bolivian women’s youth teams and non-professional teams, was announced as Hijos de Acosvinchos’ new coach for the 2012 season and was able to come to Peru in 2011 through a representative of Universidad Alas Peruanas, the team’s sponsor. However, his story in the country did not have a happy ending.
Nelfi Ibáñez on the day of her presentation as coach of Hijos de Acosvinchos. Photo: GLR archives
Nelfi Ibañez and his time in Peruvian football
Nelfi Ibáñez is originally from the Bolivian department of Chuquisaca. She started her coaching training at Nacional de Asunción in 2000, which helped her manage a few teams before taking a course in Barcelona with the Catalan Football Federation and later earning a master’s degree at INEFC Barcelona UB. With a good resume, Ibáñez was announced as the DT of the Ate team on February 29, 2012.
She was in the squad for the next two months and her presence in training was very prominent. “I’m not afraid to lead men is the easiest thing there is,” he explained with a lot of personality at the time. The presentation of Hijos de Acosvinchos took place on April 29, just a few weeks before the start of the tournament due to the rains and mudslide that afflicted Chosica.
Nelfi Ibañez during one of his training sessions with Hijos de Acosvinchos in 2012. Photo: GLR archives
What happened to Nelfi Ibáñez?
Unfortunately, Nelfi Ibáñez was unlucky to anchor at a club on the brink of bankruptcy. Four days before Acosvinchos’ official debut against Alianza Universidad in Huánuco on May 13, the club’s board of directors fired them without notice. Outraged, the Bolivian coach admitted she was wrongly dismissed and the team had no money.
After the first four dates, Hijos de Acosvinchos was handicapped and withdrawn from the tournament. For his part, Ibáñez stayed in Peru for a while before returning to his country. He returned again in November, working with Lizandro Barabán on a project called the International Talent Call in Lima. A year later it was said that he would manage Atlético Minero, but this never materialized.
Nelfi Ibáñez was unlucky to join a club that ended up being disqualified from Peru’s second division. Photo: GLR archives
Men’s football was ungrateful to Nelfi Ibáñez. Despite his credentials, education and experience, he was unfortunate enough not to have enough opportunities to demonstrate his skills. “If I play a bad role, I’ll leave and I won’t care anymore. I know what I’ve learned, I know the experience I’ve had. I hope they give me a chance,” he said in 2017.