By Carlos Kambaekwa
For quite a while, some people and to a certain extent a couple of desperate pen pushers would have us believe that the Namibian Football Association under the leadership of John Muinjo is a breath of fresh air.
Sadly, things are cracking and the widely reported departure of Benson Bamfuchile, which sent shock waves amongst the football fraternity, gives an indication that all is not well within the corridors of Soccer House.
The likeable Zambian import has within a short period of time won the hearts of the hard-to-please local football folklore after steering the Brave Warriors to their second appearance at the continental showpiece to be held in Ghana early next year.
The soft-spoken but uncompromising Brave Warriors coach had to weather many storms during his short stint in Namibian Football, including having to negotiate his way around the city, training ground and to the Association’s headquarters through public transport – something unheard of in an organization that is seemingly loaded with piles of moolah considering their travelling escapades.
A significant number of wanderlust administrators from the Association’s Directorate were recently flown to Johannesburg to ostensibly attend the annual Soccerex, but can somebody please elaborate what the real purpose of this trip was and how the officials were going to benefit from attending such an event.
In the meantime, the National Women’s Youth team had to endure long hours on the bus for national obligations, let alone sub-standard accommodation and meals supplied by some unregistered take-away outlet from the Kassie.
To be fair to Bra J and his Executive, let us assume he is making genuine mistakes inadvertently in an effort to take domestic football to the next level and even if he kicks the bucket now, at least he will know that he tried his level best to uplift Namibian football.
The real bone of contention is that none of his henchmen would tell him the truth since they know very well they have to tell him what he wants to hear.
Fair enough, the brother might claim ignorance on the whole debacle but the damaging reasons advanced for the on-off departure of Bamfuchile that apparently led to him becoming gatvol gives us a sense of having a better understanding of the inner workings of the Association he leads.
Is it perhaps not the most opportune moment for Bra J to push blind loyalty aside, albeit temporarily, get his hand on the pulse and start cracking the whip – even if he has to trample on the feet of those who championed his Presidential campaign with brutal force?
Despite the Brave Warriors’ qualification for the African Cup of Nations finals in Ghana next year – the cracks started showing already during the last couple of months where some senior players complained bitterly about the shoddy treatment they were exposed to, worsened by the rocky relationships which have developed between clubs and the Warriors’ Management.
While things might look rosy at Executive level things are really crumbling at Administrative level and something seriously needs to be done if we are to stay on the straight and narrow.
There is an unwritten rule of “know it all” amongst the powers at Soccer House assisted by a horde of well-structured untruths, and until such time that people entrusted with the running of football start acknowledging their mistakes and shortcomings, the mere thoughts about the future of Namibian football give yours truly shivers which are not appreciated at all.
Now the fundamental question that needs to be addressed is: did Bamfuchile indeed resign and then chicken out after he was confronted by his employers, or did the reporter suck the story out of his thumb, which is highly unlikely?
In the aftermath of Bamfuchile’s “Mole” resignation, so to speak, let us all hope and trust the NFA Executive will be brave enough and put up an Independent Panel to investigate the allegations and subsequently deal with the culprits accordingly. I rest my case, at least for the time being!