The Namport Zambezi Regional Second Division league, which was delayed due to regional budget delays and infrastructural deficits, kicked off on Saturday afternoon.

Initially, the league was scheduled to kick off in December 2025 but was postponed as the seasonal budget had not yet been approved, according to information provided to this agency by Zambezi Regional Football Association chairperson, Ngwama Vuyalo, a fortnight ago during the association’s extraordinary meeting.

In light of the delayed start to the season, the league resolved to utilise two playing venues for this season – the Unam Sports Field and the Katima Mulilo Sports Complex. First Division teams, Black Hawks FC (Katima Mulilo) and Eastern Chiefs FC (Kavango East), will utilise the same venues for all Black Hawks’ home games. There are 12 competing clubs this season in the division.

“The use of two venues is a strategic measure aimed at addressing several operational challenges, including ensuring the league is completed within the stipulated timeframe; minimising match postponements arising from first division fixtures, and maintaining an equal number of accumulated matches played by all teams after each round,” Vuyalo told Nampa at the time.

The Saturday games that were played at the Unam Sports Field saw Blue Chiefs beat Space Age 5-1, Shooting Stars thrashed Black Buffaloes 5-0 and Oryza Sativa hammered Real Cheetahs 3-0.

The Katima Mulilo Sports Complex equally had mouth-watering encounters with Bush Bucks managing to beat Zambezi Sporting Academy 2-1 while Roccano King Rangers beat Namib Chiefs 2-0 and Green Eagles knocked Bright Stars 3-1 on Saturday.

“I sincerely acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of all clubs, officials, administrators, and stakeholders whose hard work made this possible. I urge everyone to uphold the regulations, discipline, and fair play, and I wish all teams a successful season,” noted Vuyalo on Saturday.

The league will be played until 15 June 2026. 

-Nampa