The lofty dreams of most Namibian footballers often hit a dead-end after colliding with the stark realities of life.
With little to no support or investment at the grassroots and grasstops level, only a fortunate few make it to elite leagues in the world.
Despite the abundance of talent among Namibian youth, most parents prefer investing in their children’s education, who end up as unemployed graduates, as opposed to pursuing a career in football, where a bleak future beckons as long as the status quo remains. Worse still, even the handful who made it to the pinnacle at the height of their prowess have nothing to show for it, years after retirement. It is a vicious cycle, and Namibian football remains a dog-eat-dog world.
Peanuts
Presently, a local footballer’s salary can be as meagre as N$1 500 per month, and for those fortunate enough, it might rise to N$6 000.
But even this more substantial amount falls far short of the basic expenses needed to sustain daily life — rent, food, transport, and for many, the added responsibility of supporting children.
The amounts barely cover rent in Windhoek, where the cost of living is astronomical. A decent flat with water and electricity costs between N$4 500 and N$7 000 per month, an expense too high and out of reach for most footballers.
This grim situation was brought to light by footballer Willy ‘Awillo’ Stephanus, who pointed out the inherent difficulties of navigating the local football scene.
He stated that these wages simply are not enough to maintain a living, let alone nurture a promising sporting career.
“What you earn depends on who you are and which club you play for,” he said, stressing the significant divide between clubs and players.
The glaring disparity between the earnings of Namibian players and their counterparts in more developed football markets is jarring. Stephanus, who has played at various levels, noted that many local players cling to the distant hope of one day breaking into South Africa’s Premier Soccer League (PSL), where salaries are exponentially higher.
“A player can easily earn between N$300 000 and N$500 000 a month in the PSL if they play for top clubs like Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates or Mamelodi Sundowns,” he said, pointing to far-fetched dreams for most local footballers.
To provide some perspective, he said top players in the PSL can earn millions, depending on the value of their contracts and endorsement deals. Even those at the lower rungs of the league can count on earning between N$30 000 and N$60 000 per month — a sum unthinkable for many Namibian players, let alone formal employees.
Most Namibian clubs and players are stuck in a vicious cycle of poverty. The Namibia Premier League (NPL) continues to struggle to attain the professional status it desperately yearns. Some players, however, have managed to break through the ranks, achieving a level of financial success.
Fortunate few
Players like Peter Shalulile, Ryan Nyambe, Deon Hotto and female footballer Zenatha Coleman are examples of a few who have made a comfortable living from their careers abroad.
Yet, these are the exceptions, not the rule. For most local athletes, professional sport remains a distant, and at times shattered dream.
Stephanus further highlighted that football clubs in Namibia, many of whom heavily rely on grants from the Namibia Football Association (NFA), face growing challenges in staying afloat. “We are languishing in poverty. Some players are renting tiny rooms, while others in their 30s are still staying at their parents’ homes,” he shared.
Gender divide
“As if the financial struggles weren’t enough, Namibian football also faces a serious gender disparity. Female football players, who are already marginalised globally, receive a fraction of what their male counterparts earn,” he added.
Agreeing with Stephanus was Lovisa Mulunga, a player of FC Ongos Ladies, who said some clubs in the Women’s Super League offer players modest wages. “At Ongos, we get something ranging from N$500 to N$2 500,” she revealed shockingly.
Yet, even the most successful female footballers like Coleman and Veweziwa Kotjipati, who managed to secure contracts overseas with the Turkish side Fenerbahçe S.K., earn a far higher income.
Their success is an anomaly, however, as most Namibian women’s football players still wallow in poverty.
The harsh financial realities for most Namibian athletes have been compounded by a lack of corporate sponsorships and investment in sports. The country’s business sector, particularly mining companies, seems to turn a blind eye to the potential benefits of investing in sports, unlike in countries like Zambia, where corporate sponsorships in sports are far more common.
Absent corporates
“Corporates are not interested in sport,” said former footballer and ex-mayor of Okahandja, Johannes ‘Congo’ Hindjou.
The ex-footballer-turned-businessman and politician stressed that businesses must be made to understand their role in supporting the professionalisation of sports in Namibia.
“You will not make a decent living from sports in this country. What you can do is use the platform as a springboard to go abroad,” he added.
Hindjou also advised athletes: “Learn to behave. No one wants to be associated with druggies and drunkards. Carry yourself well so that you can still make a living after sport”.
While his remarks were intended to motivate athletes to remain disciplined and responsible, they also shed light on the dire lack of post-career opportunities for athletes in Namibia.
Financial illiteracy
Former Brave Warriors’ player and coach Gerros Urikhob said in the past, footballers made money, but often squandered it due to financial illiteracy. He advised players to seek financial advice and learn to save, emphasising the importance of planning for the future because a sports career is brief.
Footballer Ronald Ketjijere, who obtained a law degree while he actively played the sport, pointed to South Africa as a model for Namibia’s sporting development.
“South African youth are not frustrated because they have various opportunities. Their country takes sports seriously,” he said.
“Namibia needs to follow this example. Government must invest in sports so that the sector can become professionalised,” the midfielder stressed.
Ketjijere also encouraged Namibian athletes to pursue education along their sporting careers.
“Football is a short career. There are many options, like vocational training centres. Make yourself employable. The importance of planning for life after sport cannot be overstated, as the future beyond a sporting career remains bleak for many,” he advised.
Former professional footballer and national coach Collin Benjamin was fortunate enough to play for Hamburger SV in Germany.
He stressed the need for a strong investment in infrastructure and human capital to help professionalise Namibia’s sports sector. He advocated a well-rounded approach, combining short- and long-term strategies to ensure sustainable growth.
Benjamin emphasised the importance of building state-of-the-art facilities, advanced training programmes and efficient management systems. He also highlighted the need to focus on nurturing and developing talent and expertise of coaches, administrators and athletes. “By establishing clear, actionable plans and consistently working towards implementation, we can position ourselves to elevate our sports to a professional level,” he noted.
Underfunding
The concerns raised by former footballers and pundits are compounded by the fact that Namibia’s Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service has long been allocated a meagre budget, leaving the sector severely underfunded.
In the 2023/2024 fiscal year, the ministry received just N$307 million — a portion of a broader budget aimed at a variety of youth development and grassroots’ programmes. Unfortunately, only a fraction of that amount is earmarked for supporting elite athletes and national federations, which are critical to carrying Namibia’s sporting future forward.
With such limited resources, many parents like former athlete Erica Ashipala discourage their children from pursuing sports as a full-time career. “I would rather encourage my child to focus on academics, and play sports part-time. There’s just not enough opportunity here,” she said, echoing the frustrations of many.
Sports minister Agnes Tjongarero admitted that the lack of funding is a significant barrier to the professionalisation of sports in Namibia.
“To become professional, you cannot rely on the government budget alone. You also need sponsorships and corporate partnerships,” she said.
As things stand, Namibia’s sports landscape remains vast, with more than 50 recognised sports codes, ranging from traditional to modern disciplines. However, most of these remain at amateur level, with little hope for substantial progress soon. Freddy Mwiya, the chief administrator of the Namibia Sports Commission, acknowledged that cricket, individual boxers, rugby players and star athletes like Christine Mboma have succeeded in reaching professional status. But he pointed out that the challenge with other sports codes is their lack of buying power.
“Cricket managed to do so successfully because they have a sponsor. With others, it’s a lack of human power. Most administrators are volunteers. They don’t have the skills to manage and turn federations into money-making institutions,” he said.
Road ahead
The road ahead for Namibian sport is a bumpy one, with many obstacles.
Local pundits like Kavii Vezemburuka, Isack Hamata and former NFA secretary general Barry Rukoro shared their two cents’ worth on this.
Vezemburuka believes the only way for athletes to break free from this cycle of poverty is by making it to the national team – a platform where scouts from international clubs might finally notice them.
“However, overall, for this to happen, a lot of money needs to be invested to professionalise the sports industry,” he said.
“There should be clear rules to govern the professional set-up, and support for the entire sporting ecosystem, including officials and coaches, should be put in place,” he added.
Hamata believes building a strong and respected sports sector is a shared responsibility of the government, corporates and sports organisations. “The government must create policies which encourage participation, and help unlock the full potential of sports. The corporate sector is also key, providing the funding and support to move Namibian sports beyond the amateur level. This allows athletes to focus on training and competition, while engaging fans is essential to maintaining corporate investment”.
Rukoro said professionalising sports in Namibia faces several structural, financial and institutional challenges which hinder its growth.
He likewise said one of the key issues is the lack of sustainable funding and investment, unlike countries with well-developed sports industries. “Namibia struggles with limited corporate sponsorships, inadequate government funding, and a small market that makes it difficult for professional leagues and athletes to generate substantial revenue.
This financial instability means many talented athletes either leave the country in search of better opportunities, or are forced to abandon their sporting careers due to a lack of financial support.”
He added that another major obstacle is the absence of well-structured leagues and development programmes. “Most sports in Namibia are still largely amateur, with minimal pathways for athletes to transition from grassroots’ level to professional careers. The administration of sports is often weak, with frequent leadership conflicts and mismanagement within national federations, leading to instability and a lack of clear long-term strategies. Without proper governance and accountability, it is difficult to create an environment where professional sports can thrive,” stressed Rukoro.
“Namibia lacks world-class training facilities, stadiums and support systems that are necessary for professional sports development. Many athletes struggle with inadequate coaching, sports science and medical support, which affects their performance and longevity in competitive sports. Without significant investment in infrastructure, it will be difficult to raise the standard of Namibian sports to a fully professional level.
“Cultural and societal factors also play a role. Sports is often not viewed as a viable career path by many families, leading to limited participation and support for young athletes. Education is prioritised over sports, and the absence of structured sports scholarships or professional contracts makes it risky for individuals to pursue sports full-time. Moreover, the small population and limited television and media exposure further restrict the commercialisation of sports, making it difficult to attract investors and sponsors.”
He stressed that to overcome these challenges, Namibia needs a comprehensive strategy that includes good governance, increased investment, infrastructure development and a shift in societal attitudes towards sports as a professional career. “Without these critical changes, the country will continue struggling to establish a thriving professional sports industry.”
Taking cues
According to the South African Premier Soccer League’s website, they became professional in 1996 through the merger of two rival leagues, the National Soccer League (NSL) and the National Professional Soccer League (NPSL). Key to the transformation was securing television broadcasting deals, which boosted the league’s visibility and attracted sponsorships, increasing its financial stability.
In addition, corporate sponsors like Absa injected funds, enabling teams to improve facilities, pay competitive wages and attract quality talent. The PSL also invested in youth development and better infrastructure, improving the quality of play. Additionally, strong governance and strategic leadership from both the league and the South African Football Association (SAFA) helped professionalise the league. The growth of the PSL coincided with greater emphasis on player development and infrastructure. More teams started investing in youth academies and training facilities to produce home-grown talent.
Last year, Betway – South Africa’s leading online sports and gaming brand – was unveiled as the new headline sponsor of the Premier Soccer League’s top flight, taking over from MultiChoice’s DStv. The top-flight is now called the Betway Premiership, after PSL chairman Irvin Khoza announced a three-year deal worth N$900 million with the betting company.
*For perspective, read our editorial on page 10.
-lmupetami@nepc.com.na