A cursed and divided football nation
The Namibian Football Association has invited all 16 Premier League clubs to apply for a new league, while the Namibia Premier League leadership has also announced their own league.
Jesse Jackson Kauraisa
WINDHOEK
As many nations find ways to continue playing the beautiful game amidst the coronavirus pandemic, Namibia remains a divided football nation with no direction regarding when local leagues will kick off.
Namibian football continues to be played in courtrooms and boardrooms with the latest turmoil being the expulsion of the Namibia Premier League (NPL) by the Namibia Football Association (NFA) as well as a decision by the expelled members to start their own independent league.
Things also took another twist last Friday as eight premier league clubs opposed the formation of a new league by officials.
Civics, Citizens, Blue Waters, Julinho, Mighty Gunners, Orlando Pirates, Young African and Tigers all denounced the move.
Influenced from top
These clubs are alleged to have a strong influence from NFA leaders.
They are also the same clubs who earlier made their intentions to exit the league, which is under the leadership of Patrick Kauta, clear.
An incident which further fuelled the already blazing league fire was that the NFA asked all league clubs to join a new league yet to be formed.
In a letter seen by Namibian Sun dated 7 August, the football association invited all 16 league clubs to apply for membership.
“The NFA is the only association in Namibia recognised and is a member of Cosafa [the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations], CAF [the Confederation of African Football] and Fifa and is the only football federation registered with the Namibia Sports Commission.
“It is on this above premise that the NFA is inviting all above 16 clubs, without any prejudice, to resort under the NFA and constitute a top-tier league in terms of Article 18 of the NFA statues,” the letter read. Interested clubs were required to apply before 23 August.
Mixed reactions
The news that the football association is forming a new league was received well by some in football circles, while others fumed at the decision.
“Well, I believe the decision made by the NFA is a good one and football has to start.
“The NPL has failed and that is why we are seeing the formation of the legitimate league by the NFA that could benefit the players,” a source said.
Another prominent sport journalist who choose to remain anonymous rebuffed the NFA and the eight clubs' decision.
“This is just another example which shows how divided Namibian football is.
“These clubs that are apparently denouncing the decision of the NPL to start a new league, who do they think they are?
“It is clear that football leaders are using their offices to influence football clubs into making bad decisions,” the source said.
WINDHOEK
As many nations find ways to continue playing the beautiful game amidst the coronavirus pandemic, Namibia remains a divided football nation with no direction regarding when local leagues will kick off.
Namibian football continues to be played in courtrooms and boardrooms with the latest turmoil being the expulsion of the Namibia Premier League (NPL) by the Namibia Football Association (NFA) as well as a decision by the expelled members to start their own independent league.
Things also took another twist last Friday as eight premier league clubs opposed the formation of a new league by officials.
Civics, Citizens, Blue Waters, Julinho, Mighty Gunners, Orlando Pirates, Young African and Tigers all denounced the move.
Influenced from top
These clubs are alleged to have a strong influence from NFA leaders.
They are also the same clubs who earlier made their intentions to exit the league, which is under the leadership of Patrick Kauta, clear.
An incident which further fuelled the already blazing league fire was that the NFA asked all league clubs to join a new league yet to be formed.
In a letter seen by Namibian Sun dated 7 August, the football association invited all 16 league clubs to apply for membership.
“The NFA is the only association in Namibia recognised and is a member of Cosafa [the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations], CAF [the Confederation of African Football] and Fifa and is the only football federation registered with the Namibia Sports Commission.
“It is on this above premise that the NFA is inviting all above 16 clubs, without any prejudice, to resort under the NFA and constitute a top-tier league in terms of Article 18 of the NFA statues,” the letter read. Interested clubs were required to apply before 23 August.
Mixed reactions
The news that the football association is forming a new league was received well by some in football circles, while others fumed at the decision.
“Well, I believe the decision made by the NFA is a good one and football has to start.
“The NPL has failed and that is why we are seeing the formation of the legitimate league by the NFA that could benefit the players,” a source said.
Another prominent sport journalist who choose to remain anonymous rebuffed the NFA and the eight clubs' decision.
“This is just another example which shows how divided Namibian football is.
“These clubs that are apparently denouncing the decision of the NPL to start a new league, who do they think they are?
“It is clear that football leaders are using their offices to influence football clubs into making bad decisions,” the source said.
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