Zebaldt Ngaruka
GOBABIS – Once a powerhouse of Namibian football, Orlando Pirates now finds itself battling for survival after suffering a second successive relegation, this time dropping from the Southern Stream First Division to the second division.
Interim chairperson Wilfred !Naibab painted a bleak picture of a club abandoned by many following its fall from the Namibia Premier Football League at the end of the 2023/24 season. “We were left in the desert,” !Naibab said.
“After relegation, most supporters disappeared. Only a handful of loyal fans, the players, the technical team and the interim leadership remained to carry the club,” he said. Founded in 1963, Orlando Pirates boasts a proud history, including three league titles and numerous cup successes. However, recent seasons have seen a dramatic decline. In the previous campaign, the team managed just five wins from 22 matches, drawing five and losing 12, finishing at the bottom of the table.
Despite the struggles, !Naibab took full responsibility for the club’s downward spiral and issued an apology to supporters.
“I sincerely apologise to our fans, stakeholders and everyone associated with the club. We take accountability for where we are,” he said.
He attributed part of the club’s challenges to financial constraints, noting that Pirates struggled to compete with better-funded teams. “We faced serious financial difficulties while competing against clubs with stronger resources. It was a major setback,” he explained.
Looking ahead, !Naibab remains optimistic, promising a rebuild during the off-season.
“We are determined to restore the pride of this club. Next season will be different, we will regroup, strengthen the squad and come back stronger,” he vowed.
Team captain Muningandu Kazao echoed the disappointment, saying the team’s collapse came after a promising start. “It’s painful. We started well, but things suddenly went wrong. We believe we can bounce back and rebuild,” he said.
Orlando Pirates and Ramblers FC were the two teams relegated from the division, marking a difficult chapter for one of Namibia’s most storied clubs.
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