NFA snubs 'overqualified' Jacobs
Unrest is brewing in the soccer fraternity after the Namibia Football Association shortlisted three foreigners and three locals for its sought-after technical director post, while dumping Woody Jacobs and others.
Jesse Jackson Kauraisa
WINDHOEK
Woody Jacobs has alleged that former South African Premier League club Orlando Pirates coach and Serbian national Kosta Papic is among the foreigners shortlisted for the Namibia Football Association's technical director position.
Jacobs and others applied for the post, which was advertised about two months ago, only to find out that they had been snubbed before the race even started.
“The other foreigner is a guy who worked close[ly] with Robert Nauseb and is from Holland, Peter De Jong, while the identity of the third guy is being kept a secret from me,” Jacobs said.
The outspoken Brave Warriors assistant coach questioned the impartiality of the association's leaders and those who formed part of the shortlisting panel.
Fuming
“I applied for this position because I knew I had the qualifications and meet all the requirements.
“It was, however, to my surprise that I was not even shortlisted, while the association had the audacity to shortlist three foreigners over a bunch of qualified Namibians for the position.
“I feel the discrimination towards me came after I actually questioned the Namibia Football Association (NFA) over unpaid salaries,” Jacobs fumed.
The former under-17 and under-23 national team coach said he has all the credentials for the position.
Jacobs holds a Confederation of African Football (CAF) coaching A-licence and a sports management diploma from the Nelson Mandela University, and is a teacher by profession.
Job requirements
The position was advertised as requiring a minimum of a CAF B-licence and a relevant degree as well as a minimum of five years of experience as coach, technical director or sports manager.
The position also required a wide knowledge of football in Namibia and expertise in football education.
“The fact that the job requirement was a B-licence and I have an A-licence and many other qualifications is worrisome on how I did not even make the shortlist, while foreigners did,” Jacobs added.
The Namibians alleged to have been shortlisted are former Blue Boys coach Gerald Gunther, former Orlando Pirates coach Ali Akan and former Brave Gladiators coach Jacky Shipanga.
Amongst those snubbed are William Kapukare, Seth Boois, Marcello Wakudumo and Rodney 'Wallace' Doeseb.
“When the new NFA leadership came into power, they promised us transparency, but I believe they are not being transparent at all.
“The NFA is a public entity but so many things, including this process, is being kept a secret,” Jacobs claimed.
NFA not moved
Namibian Sun has been informed that NFA acting secretary-general Franco Cosmos, NFA president Ranga Haikali, NBC's director general Stanley Similo, Namibia Statistics Agency CEO Alex Shimuafeni and former Brave Warriors coach Rusten Mogane formed part of the interview panel.
Cosmos refuted Jacobs' allegations.
“People must be serious about these things because we as the NFA did not have any influence over the selection criteria.
“The selection criteria were done by an independent HR consultancy company and they choose the best candidates,” he said.
WINDHOEK
Woody Jacobs has alleged that former South African Premier League club Orlando Pirates coach and Serbian national Kosta Papic is among the foreigners shortlisted for the Namibia Football Association's technical director position.
Jacobs and others applied for the post, which was advertised about two months ago, only to find out that they had been snubbed before the race even started.
“The other foreigner is a guy who worked close[ly] with Robert Nauseb and is from Holland, Peter De Jong, while the identity of the third guy is being kept a secret from me,” Jacobs said.
The outspoken Brave Warriors assistant coach questioned the impartiality of the association's leaders and those who formed part of the shortlisting panel.
Fuming
“I applied for this position because I knew I had the qualifications and meet all the requirements.
“It was, however, to my surprise that I was not even shortlisted, while the association had the audacity to shortlist three foreigners over a bunch of qualified Namibians for the position.
“I feel the discrimination towards me came after I actually questioned the Namibia Football Association (NFA) over unpaid salaries,” Jacobs fumed.
The former under-17 and under-23 national team coach said he has all the credentials for the position.
Jacobs holds a Confederation of African Football (CAF) coaching A-licence and a sports management diploma from the Nelson Mandela University, and is a teacher by profession.
Job requirements
The position was advertised as requiring a minimum of a CAF B-licence and a relevant degree as well as a minimum of five years of experience as coach, technical director or sports manager.
The position also required a wide knowledge of football in Namibia and expertise in football education.
“The fact that the job requirement was a B-licence and I have an A-licence and many other qualifications is worrisome on how I did not even make the shortlist, while foreigners did,” Jacobs added.
The Namibians alleged to have been shortlisted are former Blue Boys coach Gerald Gunther, former Orlando Pirates coach Ali Akan and former Brave Gladiators coach Jacky Shipanga.
Amongst those snubbed are William Kapukare, Seth Boois, Marcello Wakudumo and Rodney 'Wallace' Doeseb.
“When the new NFA leadership came into power, they promised us transparency, but I believe they are not being transparent at all.
“The NFA is a public entity but so many things, including this process, is being kept a secret,” Jacobs claimed.
NFA not moved
Namibian Sun has been informed that NFA acting secretary-general Franco Cosmos, NFA president Ranga Haikali, NBC's director general Stanley Similo, Namibia Statistics Agency CEO Alex Shimuafeni and former Brave Warriors coach Rusten Mogane formed part of the interview panel.
Cosmos refuted Jacobs' allegations.
“People must be serious about these things because we as the NFA did not have any influence over the selection criteria.
“The selection criteria were done by an independent HR consultancy company and they choose the best candidates,” he said.
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