Abraham Mwanyekange
OSHAKATI – The field for the 2025/2026 NFA Cup is set after the final regional second division winners were confirmed last week, completing 13 of the 14 men’s regional spots for the Round of 32.
The Namibia Football Association said the competition will kick off on 29 May, bringing together 16 Premier League clubs, three first division winners, 13 second division champions, futsal entrants and the Women’s Super League.
The 14th second division slot will be decided in a playoff on 22 to 23 May between the two regional winners. Khomas region is yet to play its NFA qualifier, so its representative for the competition proper is still to be determined.
The NFA has also clarified that the NFA Cup winner will not qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup. That slot will go to Eeshoke Chula Chula, who finished second in the Namibia Premier Football League. African Stars FC qualified for the CAF Champions League as league champions.
Regional champions confirmed
The 13 men’s regional champions confirmed are:
Namibian Navy FC, (Erongo), Brazilie FC (//Karas), Divayi United FC (Kavango East), !Ugab FC (Kunene), Mkwamalanga FC (Ohangwena), Young Braves FC (Omusati), Okamwandi United FC (Oshana), Fontein City FC (Oshikoto), Classic FC (Hardap), Bright Star FC (Zambezi), Omaheke SC (Omaheke), Monaco FC (Kavango West) and Correctional 11 (Otjozondjupa).
Notable results from the final round included Okamwandi United’s 3-0 win over African United to claim both the Oshana region title and the NFA Cup, Correctional 11’s 3–1 win over Dynamos in Otjozondjupa,!Ugab FC’s 1–0 victory against Pubs FC in Kunene through a Jackey Claassen goal, and Young Braves FC’s 1–0 win over Oshikuku Young Stars in Omusati.
Three First Division streams produced their representatives:
Dates Eleven FC [Southern], African Motto FC [North West] and UNAM Rundu FC [North East].
Women’s regional winners
The NFA Cup Women’s Regional Championships concluded with eight winners: Girls Football Academy (Khomas), Desert Queens FC (Erongo), Kanaan United FC (Omaheke), Okalumbu Desert Rollers (Oshikoto), Future Ogongo Queens (Omusati), Hope FC (Oshana), Rundu Chiefs Smart Ladies (Kavango East) and Greenside Queens FC (Ohangwena).
Prize money and structure
The NFA Cup 2026, supported by FIFA, is the largest competition in Namibian football history, involving 66 leagues, 722 clubs and 21 950 players.
The men’s competition proper carries a N$750 000 prize pool, with the winner receiving N$400 000. Other winning prizes include N$150 000 for the Women’s Super League, N$60 000 for futsal, N$30 000 per First Division stream, N$20 000 per Second Division league, N$7 000 per Women’s Regional League and N$6 000 per Third Division stream.
The lower-tier Third Division and Women’s Regional League competitions concluded last week. While those winners will not advance to the Round of 32, they will receive cash prizes for their participation.
Competition dates
Round of 32: 29 to 30 May, Round of 16: 5 to 6 June 2026, quarterfinals: 12 to 13 June, Semi-finals: 19 to 20 June, third place playoff and final: 26 to 27 June.
Matches will be hosted at nine approved venues across the country, including SKGA Stadium in Oshakati, Omulunga Stadium in Grootfontein, Jan Wilkens Stadium in Walvis Bay and Independence Stadium in Windhoek, subject to inspection.
With continental qualification now determined by league position, the NFA Cup will be contested solely for silverware and prize money.
-amwanyekange@nepc.com.na