Fifa still to approve NC extension
Fifa is yet to approve a request by the Namibia Football Association (NFA) normalisation committee to extend its stay in office.
Committee chairperson Hilda Basson-Namundjebo confirmed yesterday they were still waiting for Fifa to give them the green light to extend their period of office until after NFA elections are held. This is after the committee asked Fifa for an extension last month, while saying they will not have enough time to fulfil their mandate. The mandate of the normalisation committee was initially to run the affairs of the NFA until no later than 31 May. It is tasked to ensure that the members of the NFA, whose executive committees are out of mandate, organise and conduct the relevant elections.
The committee, however, encountered constitutional hiccups within the country's football regions, which delayed the national process of electing new leaders at the football association previously led by president Frans Mbidi and former secretary-general Barry Rukoro. “Yes, Fifa has not given us the green light yet, but it is coming soon. “After our request, Fifa did hold a council meeting and we are now just waiting on them,” Basson-Namundjebo said. She confirmed they have been in communication with Fifa on a regular basis.
The committee has been sending monthly reports to update Fifa on matters relating to Namibian football and their updated operations as a committee.
No CAF grants
The normalisation committee also revealed that it has not received any preparatory money from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), as reported. It was announced last month that CAF had given all participating countries U$260 000 (N$3.7 million) for their Afcon tournament preparations. The money will be deducted from the participation fees to be paid to the teams at the end of the tournament. Basson, however, said the committee has not received anything to date and is still waiting for proper communication from CAF.
“CAF has not given us anything yet, even though we did hear about the news. “It was news to us when it came out, but we have tried to enquire because we heard that Nigeria did receive money. CAF has held meetings and we are waiting for a response from them about these funds.” The committee is, however, confident that everything will run smooth ahead of the upcoming Cosafa Cup tournament and Afcon 2019. The committee has requested funding from the government in order to prepare for the Afcon tournament.
“As you can also see, the team for the Cosafa tournament started training yesterday, meaning that everything is in place.” The Brave Warriors have qualified for Afcon for the third time and were drawn against Côte d'Ivoire, South Africa and Morocco in what has been described as “the group of death”.
The competition will be held in Egypt from 21 June to 19 July. Namibia's first match will be against Morocco on 23 June.
Namibia will play their second match against neighbours South Africa on 28 June, before wrapping up their group stage with a match against Côte d'Ivoire on 1 July.
Jesse Jackson Kauraisa
Committee chairperson Hilda Basson-Namundjebo confirmed yesterday they were still waiting for Fifa to give them the green light to extend their period of office until after NFA elections are held. This is after the committee asked Fifa for an extension last month, while saying they will not have enough time to fulfil their mandate. The mandate of the normalisation committee was initially to run the affairs of the NFA until no later than 31 May. It is tasked to ensure that the members of the NFA, whose executive committees are out of mandate, organise and conduct the relevant elections.
The committee, however, encountered constitutional hiccups within the country's football regions, which delayed the national process of electing new leaders at the football association previously led by president Frans Mbidi and former secretary-general Barry Rukoro. “Yes, Fifa has not given us the green light yet, but it is coming soon. “After our request, Fifa did hold a council meeting and we are now just waiting on them,” Basson-Namundjebo said. She confirmed they have been in communication with Fifa on a regular basis.
The committee has been sending monthly reports to update Fifa on matters relating to Namibian football and their updated operations as a committee.
No CAF grants
The normalisation committee also revealed that it has not received any preparatory money from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), as reported. It was announced last month that CAF had given all participating countries U$260 000 (N$3.7 million) for their Afcon tournament preparations. The money will be deducted from the participation fees to be paid to the teams at the end of the tournament. Basson, however, said the committee has not received anything to date and is still waiting for proper communication from CAF.
“CAF has not given us anything yet, even though we did hear about the news. “It was news to us when it came out, but we have tried to enquire because we heard that Nigeria did receive money. CAF has held meetings and we are waiting for a response from them about these funds.” The committee is, however, confident that everything will run smooth ahead of the upcoming Cosafa Cup tournament and Afcon 2019. The committee has requested funding from the government in order to prepare for the Afcon tournament.
“As you can also see, the team for the Cosafa tournament started training yesterday, meaning that everything is in place.” The Brave Warriors have qualified for Afcon for the third time and were drawn against Côte d'Ivoire, South Africa and Morocco in what has been described as “the group of death”.
The competition will be held in Egypt from 21 June to 19 July. Namibia's first match will be against Morocco on 23 June.
Namibia will play their second match against neighbours South Africa on 28 June, before wrapping up their group stage with a match against Côte d'Ivoire on 1 July.
Jesse Jackson Kauraisa
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article