Former Brave Warriors goalkeeper Danzyl Bruwer has criticised the selection of players and coaches for the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup, questioning fairness and its developmental purpose.
Posting on X last week, Bruwer said this has given him sleepless nights.
“I just want to share this thing with the rest of Namibia, especially football enthusiasts. It’s important for me, and I just thought I would bring it out to the public,” Bruwer said.
He said the Newspaper Cup has existed for a very long time.
“At the inception of the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup, it was said this is a development tournament across the board. I’d like to believe it is a development tournament not only for the players or the match officials. It must also be a development tournament for the coaches.
“And that bothers me. I want to be clear, and when I say that, I want people to know that it’s nothing personal. This is about football, Namibian football, the beautiful game, and it’s my personal view.”
Bruwer alleged that some players selected for the Newspaper Cup have not taken part in the Governor’s Cup, but end up representing their regions.
He said the maiden Governor’s Cup, introduced by football agent Collin April, was intended to serve as trials for selecting players for the Newspaper Cup.
“What happens now does not serve the intended purpose of this cup. You find the players from the constituencies go to the Governor’s Cup, a team is then selected, and after the tournament, they announce the coaches and give the selected names to the coaches.
“In our days, the coaches were announced before the Governor’s Cup, and the coaches will select the players in some instances.”
He said players who did not participate in the Governor’s Cup or represent their constituencies are still observed at the regional teams’ training and can ultimately join the team.
“That is wrong, it’s totally wrong. What makes some players too good not to attend the Governor’s Cup? What makes them so special that they cannot go and play trials, and afterwards they get selected for their teams.
“Go to the Governor’s Cup, play and get selected for the regional team.”
He said that when the selection process takes place after the Governor’s Cup, new players are brought in, and those who were initially selected at the Governor’s Cup are suddenly dropped.
“They are dropped for the sake of other players who never attended the Governor’s Cup. That is injustice,” Bruwer stressed.
COACHES SELECTION UNDER THE HAMMER
Bruwer also questioned why coaches who have established themselves with national junior teams are allowed to coach regional football teams.
“It’s not a personal attack. My concern is that the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup is a development tournament for players and officials, and not the coaches.
“Why must established national coaches come and coach a regional team at a developmental tournament?” Bruwer asked.
He argued that regional coaches must be given the opportunities to grow and eventually become national coaches.
In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.
The Namibian uses AI tools to assist with improved quality, accuracy and efficiency, while maintaining editorial oversight and journalistic integrity.
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!
