Jefta Gaoab
The Namibian Football Association (NFA) is the governing body for football in Namibia, responsible for organizing and promoting football activities nationwide. As the custodian of the sport, the NFA is mandated to ensure that football is played in accordance with its rules, regulations, and statutes. These must, however, remain subordinate to those of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), which holds ultimate authority.
In general, the NFA has demonstrated a concerning inability to consistently and effectively interpret and apply its own statutes, rules, and regulations. This ongoing failure undermines both the credibility of the institution and the integrity of football governance in the country.
As we approach the promotion and relegation play-offs, there is growing anticipation. However, this is overshadowed by concerns, as the very body entrusted with upholding fair and transparent governance appears to be acting contrary to that mandate.
To qualify my sentiments, as a passionate football enthusiast, I raised a pertinent issue regarding the general inconsistencies in interpreting and applying the rules governing the promotion and relegation of clubs across the various NFA leagues in August 2024. To date, I have received neither a response nor an acknowledgment.
I initially addressed my concerns in writing to the then NFA Secretary General, Mr. Charles Siyauya (MHSRIP), highlighting the inconsistencies and non-compliance with the Association’s own rules, regulations, and statutes. Unfortunately, I received no response. On a separate occasion, I also wrote to the NFA Executive Council via the former Secretary General, but the Council similarly failed to respond.
This specific concern stems from how the NFA handled the procedures and criteria for promoting and relegating teams during the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 football seasons, particularly within the North West Stream First Division (NWSFD) and the teams promoted from the Regional Divisions within the same jurisdiction. What unfolded was nothing short of chaos: teams that were supposed to be relegated were not, and the process was marred by questionable tactics and so-called “internal arrangements” at Football House. These actions took place with full knowledge of those in charge, at the direct expense of the sport’s integrity.
Aggrieved member clubs raised their concerns in writing to the then Secretary General’s office, but received no concrete response, only vague and off-point replies that were based on internal arrangements and gut feeling rather than the Association’s own rules and regulations.
Now, with the current season having come full circle and promotion and relegation play-offs looming, nearly a year later, the grievances of affected clubs remain unresolved. The question remains: will internal arrangements once again override the rules, regulations, and statutes that are meant to govern the Association and its member leagues?
With no football club relegated from the Namibia Football Premier League (NPFL) to the North West Stream First Division (NWSFD) for the 2024/2025 season, I eagerly await to see how the authorities, or those in power will position themselves, and whether favours will once again be extended to their cronies. Notably, the 2021/2022 season stands as the only instance in which the NFA correctly interpreted and applied the rules governing the promotion and relegation of clubs between its various leagues.
In contrast, the Namibia Sports Commission (NSC), a statutory body established under the Namibia Sports Act, 2003 (Act 12 of 2003) is mandated to regulate, develop, and oversee all national sports codes in Namibia. This debacle was escalated to the NSC following the NFA’s persistent non-responsiveness. The NSC was expected to address the governance-related disputes that arose from the NFA’s failure to respond or comply matters that were formally brought to its attention, yet to no avail.
To date, the Commission remains inactive, seemingly with its hands folded, despite several engagements and letters submitted for its consideration. One is left to wonder: do they truly understand their mandate and the responsibilities entrusted to them in situations like this? Only they can answer, f they ever will.
Furthermore, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) was informed and is aware of the misconduct and manipulation that unfolded at Soccer House, as detailed in this matter. Yet, the only response offered was that FIFA cannot interfere in the internal affairs of its member associations. However, such a stance is deeply flawed. FIFA cannot hide behind “non-interference” when clear violations threaten the integrity of the game and breach both local and FIFA statutes.
The same FIFA has, in the past, acted swiftly and decisively to normalize football governance in Namibia when it suited them, yet now turns a blind eye when rules and regulations are being flagrantly ignored. This is hypocrisy of the highest order.
The biggest culprit in this matter is the NFA, which continues to selectively interpret and apply the rules, regulations, and statutes governing Namibian football. I have said it before, and I will say it again: those entrusted with enforcing the laws of the game lack the courage to do so without fear or favour. Loyalty to individuals at Soccer House often takes precedence over the integrity of the sport.
Member complaints and disputes are routinely ignored, emails go unacknowledged, and there is a blatant disregard for compliance with the Association’s own rules. Compliance failures at Soccer House are widespread, and the level of irreverence displayed is nothing short of chaotic. There is no evidence of fair or transparent governance within the NFA.
Even with the conclusion of some football leagues, specifically the Oshikoto Second Division, the rules continue to be applied inconsistently, resulting in certain teams being unfairly disadvantaged.
FIFA is very clear in its stance against third-party interference in the operations and affairs of its member associations. However, third forces, regardless of their form, are very much present and active within Football House. No amount of deception or underhanded tactics can outsmart the collective awareness and intelligence of the football-loving community.
In conclusion, and figuratively speaking, the Namibia Football Association appears to be caught in a stranglehold (scrotum), either by its own doing or through the influence of a third force that has it firmly under control.
Jefta Gaoab is a football enthusiast
