The Namibia Football Association (NFA) yesterday announced that the 2023/2024 football season will kick off in mid-September.
According to a statement released by the governing body, the top-flight league will commence on 16 September, while the FNB Women’s Super League (WSL) is scheduled to begin a week later – 23 September.
“We will also announce the kick-off dates for the nationwide first divisions, regional second divisions and regional women’s leagues at our earliest convenience,” read the press release.
Regarding player transfers and registration, the window opened yesterday, and it will run until 27 October 2023.
The second registration period will be announced at a later stage.
Last week, the NFA Secretariat released a list of requirements for the registration of players in Namibia, paving the way for the announcement of the start of the new season.
When asked about the sponsors for the upcoming season and the amount they have committed, NFA secretary general Jochen Traut stated that the information would be communicated soon.
“Yes, we have secured a sponsor for this season, which is the previous one – Debmarine – and they have committed to sponsoring the league again. However, we will communicate the amount they are committing and the duration of the agreement,” he said.
Meanwhile, league director Maboss Vries has invited all 16 Namibia Premier Football League clubs for a ‘Members information meeting’ at the football house later tonight.
According to the invitation letter, the meeting is set to discuss the modalities for the commencement of the 2023/2024 football season.
Reacting to the announcement yesterday, Mali Ngarizemo, the head coach of Gobabis-based club Young African, expressed disappointment with the communication from the governing body.
“I am disappointed with the announcement; they should have communicated with us, clubs, first before announcing the league’s return. We don’t even know the worth of the sponsorship or all the logistics around the league. They should have done better; this is what caused confusion last year when clubs couldn’t honour some games because they didn’t receive the full amount,” he said.
Another club director for a Windhoek-based NPFL club, who declined to be named, said the NFA leadership is running football in reverse.
“How do you announce the start of the league without launching it? We, as clubs, have not been told anything regarding the sponsorship or the grants, but we are now supposed to sign and register players as well as start with pre-season. What money are we going to use? What if all the clubs reject whatever is going to be presented at the consultative meeting? How are these guys operating?” the club official questioned.
Defending champions African Stars executive director Salomo Hei said these are some of the challenges that come with association football, whereby the mother body will give orders on how the league will operate without the input of the clubs.
“We will hear what the prize money is, who the sponsor is and how much the grants are at that meeting,” Hei said.
Stars are the current champions of the Debmarine Premiership. Last year, the mining company committed a sponsorship worth N$13 million for one season only.