Maqonda Ndlovu

THE Namibia Premier Football League (NPFL) administrator Mabos Vries says all the country’s football leagues will resume action in February as planned, with funding already available.

Speaking to New Era Sport from Korhogo, Ivory Coast, where he is attending the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Vries said registration of players for the lower leagues opened on Monday 15 January and will run until 12 February, along with registration for the NPFL. “All the leagues will resume or kick off on 10 February. The first divisions will resume in early January to complete the first round before starting the second round in March. We will liaise with the leagues on the fixtures. Funding is available, and we have the funds,” Vries said.

He added that the lower divisions will have another window before resuming the second leg in March.

The experienced administrator said the distribution of the funds will be done to those members who are in good standing, while those who are not, will be given time to sort out their books.

Some Khomas Second Division teams said they have not received any funding since the league started, which raised concerns. “We have played five rounds of matches without any funding from the NFA or the management. I am afraid if we resume the league without the funds, we won’t receive them come the end of the season,” said one irate member of the Khomas Second Division who refused to be named for fear of victimisation.

His views were echoed by another second-division owner, who said they would rather wait until the Afcon tournament is concluded before resuming the league. “This will allow the NFA executive council to return home and sort this mess out. Playing without grants is not easy. Some of us struggle to get transport or to pay referees because we don’t have the money,” he said. The Interim Khomas Region chairperson said they had sent all their documents to NFA, and they are waiting for the funds or feedback.

//Kharas region’s Nettie Cloete said they had received funds for the second division but will only start the league after the elections scheduled for 2 February.

Oshana region, which currently has two factions, is likely to resume later than the rest, with the matter likely to end up in the courts of law because of the fight for the control of the region.

Omaheke’s Theobald Kahuu said his region had not finalised its budget and the lack of fields had delayed the start of the league. Efforts to get comments from other regional leaders proved fruitless. – jrnmarko@gmail.com