The Namibia Football Association (NFA) is once again at crossroads as it seeks to appoint a new Secretary General (SG).

The position, widely regarded as one of the most powerful within the football house, is central to the administration, governance, and overall direction of football in the country.

With the NFA recently opening applications for a substantive SG, New Era Sport explored what kind of individual would be best suited to steer the association through a period marked by governance challenges, financial constraints, and declining public confidence.

Football pundit Marco Ndlovu described the SG as the key administrative leader of a football governing body, responsible for overseeing daily operations and implementing strategic plans. 

According to Ndlovu, the NFA should prioritise a candidate with a background in sports and practical experience in football administration.

“The person should be good in corporate governance, have strong human resource skills, and maintain a clean public image,” Ndlovu said. He added that the NFA’s long-standing struggle to attract sponsorship makes credibility and trust non-negotiable qualities. 

“We know that NFA struggles to attract sponsorship perennially, hence the need to have someone that corporates can relate to and trust,” he said.

While some argue that the SG should have played football at a certain level, Ndlovu believes administrative competence matters more.  

“Anyone who can run an institution that controls over 7 000 people is ideal,” he said.

He stressed that the ideal candidate must have the backbone to resist pressure, stand by difficult decisions, and operate independently. “They must be able to stand their ground, make sound decisions, and stand by those decisions,” Ndlovu said.

The SG, he added, must also work closely with the government through the Namibia Sports Commission, be willing to listen and learn, and operate transparently. 

“They must be able to bring back corporate and public confidence, be accepted by NFA staff, and have influence at COSAFA, CAF and FIFA,” he said.

Leadership over administration

Another football analyst, Olsen Kahiriri, described the SG as the engine of the NFA, arguing that the association needs a leader rather than a traditional administrator.

“If I have to make a choice, one should consider a person who is a V8 propelling engine, master class, to get the NFA out of the fracas they find themselves in,” Kahiriri said.

He noted that the NFA is a highly political organisation and believes experience in office politics is essential. 

“In a nutshell, the NFA SG must be more of a leader than an administrator,” he said, adding that a background in sports law would be a major advantage.

Kahiriri argued that weak legal structures within the NFA have historically benefited certain interests, particularly club owners who sit on the association’s boards. As a result, he called for a no-nonsense leader who would not compromise the integrity of the game.

“NFA needs a person with sound knowledge of African football, especially South African, Zambian, Botswana, Kenyan and Zimbabwean football, because those countries have improved over the years while NFA has been left behind,” he said.

According to Kahiriri, the association does not need ordinary corporate executives unfamiliar with football dynamics. “Football administration is too complex. It needs a brain that understands football governance, sponsorship, integrity, doping, finance, and sports communication at a master’s level,” he said.

He warned against appointing friends, relatives or political allies. “This time around, the NFA executive must not make mistakes. They need a reliable person who can deliver, not a spokesperson,” he said.

Decision-making and integrity

Kahiriri emphasised that leadership style and decision-making ability are critical, given the complexity of the role.

“If you are SG of NFA, you deal with complex issues such as players stranded at airports and distributing millions of dollars monthly to keep the football locomotive running. This is not a bakery down the street,” he said.

He dismissed the idea that the NFA executive should dominate the organisation, arguing that the SG must be able to advise independently and lead with vision.  “NFA needs a person who can rebrand football and understand monetisation and broadcasting rights in a digital world,” he said. Integrity and communication, he added, are non-negotiable. 

“Integrity is paramount when you are entrusted with public finances and international votes at CAF and FIFA. Communication with stakeholders is critical for an organisation whose public image has suffered,” he said.

Kahiriri also cautioned against rehiring individuals who previously failed the association. 

“NFA needs a real person who can deliver. Stakeholder engagement has been poor, and we cannot recycle failure,” he said.

On stakeholder relations, he argued that the SG must build strong teams. 

“The SG must install a good marketing team to engage clubs, players, and international bodies, and set up a strong legal team to craft proper governance structures,” he said.

The official search

The NFA recently announced the opening of applications for a new substantive SG. In a statement, the association said the SG will report directly to the Executive Council through the president and serve as the principal accounting officer responsible for financial management and operational integrity.

The role includes overseeing national and international competitions, leading the NFA Secretariat, managing public relations, technical and administrative functions, and promoting transparency and good governance. Applicants must hold at least a Bachelor’s degree in finance, commerce, law or a related management field, with a Master’s degree considered an advantage, and have a minimum of five years’ managerial and leadership experience. 

-lmupetami@nepc.com.na