The president of the Namibia Football Association (NFA), Robert Shimooshili, has described his election to the Executive Committee (EXCO) of the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) as a major achievement for Namibia and an opportunity to strengthen football development in the region.
Shimooshili was elected during Cosafa’s 2026 Elective General Assembly (EGA), which took place over the weekend in Harare, Zimbabwe. His election places Namibia among the regional football leaders tasked with shaping the future direction of the game in Southern Africa.
Speaking after the assembly, Shimooshili said the achievement was not only significant for the NFA but for whole country.
“This has to do with Namibia as a country and the NFA. Football unites people and communities, and it creates opportunities for peace, harmony and unity,” he said.
He added that Namibia’s presence at the Cosafa executive level creates opportunities for the country to advance its interests within the regional football body while also contributing to economic and social development.
Shimooshili said the position could open doors to capacity building, football development programmes, hosting regional tournaments, and greater exposure for Namibian athletes.
“There is a great opportunity for our country to drive growth and development for our people, including hosting football events that can contribute to economic uplift, poverty reduction and exposure for our athletes,” he noted.
The NFA president also expressed gratitude to Cosafa member associations for placing their trust in him.
“It means that the Namibian people and Cosafa member associations have faith in me to represent them, and I will strive to deliver to the best of my ability,” he said.
Shimooshili further stressed the importance of developing the next generation of Namibian football administrators and players.
“It also means regional football still recognises the existence and value of Namibian football. We need to groom more young Namibians to take football to the next level,” he added.
The assembly also saw Tariq Babitseng of Botswana elected unopposed as Cosafa president, succeeding outgoing president Said Ali Said Athouman.
In his acceptance speech, Babitseng called for unity among Southern African football nations.
“This is a Cosafa that will stand united in everything we do. No single association can succeed alone, but together we can grow football across the region,” he said.
Patrice Motsepe, president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), attended the assembly and congratulated Cosafa for its continued football development initiatives across Southern Africa.
Other officials elected to the new Cosafa EXCO include Lijane Nthunya of Lesotho, Nqobile Magwizi of Zimbabwe and Peter Simelane of Eswatini.