WINDHOEK – Chief Administrator of the MTC Namibia Premier League (NPL), Tovey Hoebeb yesterday defended the league’s decision to schedule two competitive football matches within a space of 24 hours, saying it was the only best solution to save clubs from a “financial tsunami”.
With just 7-rounds of matches played so far, clearly overworked footballers plying their trade in the country’s flagship league have expressed fear of possible physical burnout by playing too many games within a short period of time.
Local supporters are also not too impressed with the accelerating costs of watching their teams play twice in a weekend.
Upon enquiry, Hoebeb pleaded ignorance that clubs are suddenly against the league’s decision to stage 2 matches per weekend, adding that all 16 league clubs were part and parcel of that resolution.
“All clubs were fully represented at the league’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) and after exploring various possible options on how to go about the fixtures, all clubs agreed on playing two games per weekend, so I’m really shocked to hear such complaints from teams,” charged Hoebeb.
“Everyone also agreed that playing twice per weekend was one of the most suitable ways to cut travelling and accommodation costs and they (clubs) were fully in agreement with such a move, so why are they crying foul now?”
As for the supporters, Hoebeb said it was a win-win situation for both the fans and clubs as the games are now double-headers at various stadiums: “For instance, on Saturdays, although a fan might pay N$30.00 to go watch his team play in the first match of a double-header, he automatically gets the chance to watch the second match on the same N$30.00 while the same also for Sundays, so I personally think it’s a win-win situation,”
He maintained that reversing the decision of teams playing twice per weekend will mean to call another AGM and that can only happen in August next year.
Namibia’s undisputed champions, Black Africa’s mentor, Brian Isaacs also joined the chorus and blasted the league’s hierarchy for making such a decision: “It’s really not healthy for the game of football, I’m totally against it. It’s compromising the quality and the players will burn out due to the lack of adequate recovery time. How can you play two games over the weekend and expect players to train on Monday, it’s just impossible,” said Isaacs.
African Stars mentor, Woody Jacobs also condemned the league’s congested fixtures last Thursday, saying it’s not doing football any good but insisted he has somehow been able to deal with the situation as he has enough depth in his squad.
By Otniel Hembapu