Despite the withdrawal of three clubs citing financial challenges, the Namibia Football Association (NFA) Cup will go ahead as planned, with the governing body reaffirming its commitment to staging what it describes as the country’s biggest football competition.
Bucks Buccaneers Football Club, Life Fighters, and Tigers have all confirmed their withdrawal from the tournament. The clubs pointed to financial constraints and logistical difficulties as key reasons for pulling out of the competition.
Life Fighters stated that the recently announced tournament was not part of the 2025/2026 football season calendar, which was released after the season had already concluded. The club further indicated that participation would cost them approximately N$330 000, an amount they could not afford.
Tigers, on the other hand, explained that they had already released both players and technical staff following the conclusion of the league season in March. This, they said, made it difficult to reassemble a competitive squad in time for the competition. The club also cited financial strain and a lack of support towards participation costs as additional factors behind their decision.
Despite these withdrawals, the NFA officially launched the cup at a press briefing yesterday, where it also issued a detailed statement outlining the structure, scale, and financial model of the competition.
According to the NFA, a total of N$7.2 million has been committed towards the Cup. The association emphasized that the tournament will involve a wide football footprint across the country, including all major leagues and divisions.
“The NFA wishes to inform all its members, clubs, officials, sponsors and lovers of the beautiful game of football that the NFA commits N$7.2 million for the Cup,” the statement read. The association added that all leagues under its umbrella will participate, including the 16 Namibia Premier Football League clubs, 12 Women’s Super League clubs, 36 First Division clubs, 168 clubs from the 14 Regional Second Divisions, 148 clubs from the Women’s Regional Leagues, 344 clubs across 32 Regional Second Division streams, and 16 Futsal Namibia clubs.
The NFA further highlighted that it oversees 66 leagues, 740 clubs, and 21 950 registered players, spread across all 14 regions of Namibia, describing the competition as the most inclusive football product in the country. “The objective of the NFA relative to the cup is to increase the number of competitions, to increase game-time for players across all leagues, and to keep players fit and competitive throughout the football season,” the statement said.
The tournament format was also outlined in detail. Women’s Regional Leagues and Regional Third Division Leagues will first compete in knockout stages, with winners progressing to the competition proper. The First Division will feature three streams, each playing preliminary knockout rounds, with winners advancing. Regional Second Division winners will also qualify for the main competition, which includes 13 allocated slots.
Two additional regional winners will be drawn, with one advancing to complete the qualification pathway alongside the remaining 12 winners. The 16 Namibia Premier Football League clubs automatically qualify for the competition proper.
On the financial side, the NFA detailed logistical and prize money allocations across divisions. Regional Third Divisions will receive N$7 500 per stream for logistics, while Women’s Regional Leagues will receive N$10 000 per league. Regional Second Divisions will get N$30 000 per league, and First Divisions N$50 000 per league.
Women’s Super League clubs will receive N$10 000 participation fees per round, with total prize money set at N$280 000 per league. The competition proper for men will see clubs receive N$20 000 per round, with a total prize pool of N$750 000.