The Bucks Buccaneers Football Club has withdrawn from the upcoming Namibia Football Association (NFA) Cup, citing financial constraints.
This comes as the association unveiled plans for what is set to be the country’s largest football competition.
The cup starts on 8 May and will run until 27 June.
In a letter dated 6 May to NFA acting general secretary Mabs Vries, the Windhoek-based club confirms it will not participate in the newly announced tournament due to budgetary pressures.
The club says the decision was taken after “careful consideration of the financial implications, particularly the need to meet player salary obligations and operational costs”.
Bucks Buccaneers say salary commitments alone amount to approximately N$420 000 over two months, covering May and June.
They note that participation in the NFA Cup would require additional spending on travel, accommodation and equipment, placing further strain on resources.
The club adds that the competition had not been included in their initial budget planning.
“For these reasons, we believe it is not financially responsible to allocate funds towards this tournament under the current circumstances,” the statement reads.
The club calls for improved planning and consideration for participating teams in the future.
However, the NFA has also released a memorandum outlining an expansive vision for the 2026 NFA Cup, which will be hosted with financial assistance from Fifa.
“This will be the largest football competition in Namibia, covering all 14 regions, involving 66 leagues, 722 clubs and 21 950 players,” the association states.
The NFA says sixteen Namibia Premier Football League teams automatically qualify for the competition proper, while three nationwide first division streams consisting of 36 teams will play preliminary knock-out phases, with the winners advancing.
At the regional level, “14 regional second division leagues, consisting of 168 clubs, will play preliminary rounds, with 13 slots available in the competition proper.”
The NFA adds that the Women’s Super League, consisting of 12 teams, has qualified for the competition proper, along with 16 teams from futsal.
For lower tiers, the association says 14 women’s regional leagues consist of 148 teams, and 32 regional third division leagues consist of 342 teams, which will play knock-out competitions, with the winners receiving prize money and logistical support.
Despite their withdrawal, Bucks Buccaneers extend their best wishes to all teams set to participate and express hope for constructive engagement with the association moving forward.
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