The much-anticipated start of the Namibia Premier Football League (NPFL) seems to be in jeopardy, with several challenges risking delaying the 2025/2026 season even before it kicks off.
The league probably will not start soon, as some newly promoted clubs like Rundu Chiefs, Life Fighters and Eleven Arrows, along with several others besides African Stars and Young African, have allegedly not completed club licensing training.
Adding to the turmoil, referees allegedly are still owed a staggering N$1.5 million, a debt that has left many unwilling to officiate until payments are made.
Congo Hindjou, owner of Okahandja United said club licensing is a system used by football governing bodies such as Fifa, CAF and national associations to ensure that football clubs meet certain minimum standards before they are allowed to participate in official competitions, like national leagues, continental tournaments or international club events.
“It’s essentially a quality control and compliance process that ensures clubs are managed professionally and sustainably. Clubs require licence training to compete in the Championship League. The individuals appointed by CAF to train club leadership have resigned,” he said.
The resignation of key trainers has created a gap in fulfilling the licensing requirements, delaying the process for many clubs.
Despite the uncertainty, Hindjou revealed that some teams have started pre-season training, hoping the situation will soon be resolved.
However, without clarity on sponsorship and preparedness, the league’s start date remains unknown.
Hindjou further added that the NFA said they have a sponsor, “But why is the sponsor a secret?” he asked.
He also raised concerns regarding the league launch, the timing of the kick-off – and whether clubs will play with a Debmarine kit. However, one anonymous source said NFA has the money.
“The money is not the issue. It’s the processes of starting the league which is an issue. It’s the small, tedious processes. There is a lot that needs to be done, and the time to execute, before next week, is not there,” said the source.
On Monday, New Era published an article stating that the league is urgently appealing for N$10 million in financial support from State-owned enterprises to sustain football development across the country for the 2025/2026 season and beyond.
Financial uncertainty
Recently, deputy sport minister Dino Ballotti announced in Parliament that the government pledged N$10 million to help restart the league after Debmarine’s three-year sponsorship expired.
However, insiders say that the NPFL still needs an additional N$8 to N$10 million to operate effectively throughout the season.
For clubs like Life Fighters, which are making a return to top-tier football, the situation is critical. Club secretary Sydney Kavehaha admitted that they are having difficulty meeting some of the requirements before the scheduled kick-off. Among these requirements are the submission of financial reports for the previous football season, which was due by 10 October.
Clubs are further required to complete and submit new membership application forms. Players and officials must be registered on the Fifa e-Connect system by 24 October. In addition, clubs must book their venues advance.
The NFA secretariat will only process payments upon confirmation and submission of quotations and invoices to meet financial audit requirements.
Clubs were also expected to submit proposed fixtures and match venue details by 9 October.
A source revealed that the Namibia Football Association (NFA) has now shifted much of its administrative responsibility to the clubs themselves.
Unlike before when the NFA handled these logistics, clubs now have to book venues and appoint administrators to manage their affairs.
The move is viewed as part of efforts to promote league independence, but smaller clubs believe the transition has been sudden and financially burdensome.
Frustration
Kavehaha expressed frustration over the unrealistic expectations placed on community-based teams.
“We are not at the level NFA expects. We run the club out of our own pocket and with contributions from supporters. We need to do one thing at a time,” he said.
He added that he does not understand why the NFA is rushing to start the league, while things are not in order.
“Maybe they are being pressured by some clubs, but what will happen is that since they are still looking for additional money to start the league. If the league happens to kick off, it will most likely run for three months and stop because the money they have now will run out. They will not be able to give clubs grants,” he said.
Kavehaha said talks between the clubs and the NFA leadership have been “fruitless”.
“There are only quarrels that come from those meetings – and from there, letters arrive with nothing concrete,” he added.
Adding to the growing discontent, one referee who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed that referees will not officiate any match until the NFA settles the outstanding debt.
“We are owed money individually. None of us will handle a match if we don’t get paid,” the referee said.
-lmupetami@nepc.com.na.na