From the Sidelines: Fans need to show genuine support

NAMIBIAN football fans portray a rather awkward sense in supporting their teams.

From the national teams, which include the Brave Warriors, Gladiators and the junior teams, to the premiership teams, it has been evident that criticism is rife and mostly unjustifiable. Everyone takes a swipe at the performance of a specific player or the team as a whole, that leaves much to be desired on their patriotism, especially when the national side is in action.There are die-hard fans who shout at the top of their voices to urge on their teams or players, but criticism on the stands and away from the field is rampant among some Namibian football supporters.The national team is sometimes left in the cold as there is virtually no one shouting for them despite playing at home.This has happened in many of their matches.There has been numerous occasions where Namibian fans were shut out in the race of shouting or singing in unison as support for their teams by a small group of visiting fans.Recently Civics fans were outdone by a small but vocal group of Angolan supporters who made more noise (that is urging their players to go for goals) than the locals.This was a Champions League match in which Civics hosted Atletico de Luanda at the Independence Stadium some weeks ago.That was not the first time.Most of the Cosafa Cup matches that Namibia had a chance to play at home see little vocal support coming from the home fans, with most in the business of firing missiles, launching verbal attacks when the team is not performing.Vulgar language and a lack of respect for the game and players is what some supporters are familiar with and this is prevalent in domestic premiership matches too.Ideally, one would think that the national side or a club needs the support from its fans in good and bad times.But in Namibia, it is constant criticism and unfortunately there are no solutions or any justification for such criticism.The media have also come under fire for allegedly biased reports, especially towards premiership clubs.There seems to be little understanding of how this works and why.Winning teams get the publicity and losers have to work hard to earn that.Players who deliver the goods will always be put in the limelight and poor performing players will have to strive for that too.Simple as that.In the domestic game, I have seen some supporters verbally abusing players of their teams and sometimes the opposing teams, referees are also going through the same treatment, while the coaches have no choice but to take the blame.It is a shame for some of these so-called football supporters to make an effort of coming to the stadiums with the intention of lambasting players and officials for not getting the results.Unfortunately in football, you win some and you lose some and both teams cannot win.The point is that there is a negative culture of showing support in this country that needs to be looked into.The mother body should cultivate a supporting culture that unifies people especially when the national teams are in action.The Brave Warriors supporters clubs is one good initiative.The football authorities, and even the Namibia Premier League, have a duty to make the brand of football exciting to people.People need to firstly enjoy the game and through this they will learn how to appreciate what it means to win and and admit on losing.Supporters’ clubs at the various teams have done little in urging their fans to be disciplined and show good sportsmanship.One wonders if these clubs exist in reality or are they just on paper.Football is just a game and people should realise that players can make mistakes and cost teams dearly, but with a positive support base, they can lift their performance and bring in the desired results.It is time that football fans who frequent the pitches over weekends refrain from verbally harassing players and journalists because of what they think is right.Fans should go to matches to stand behind their teams despite the outcome of the match.There should be a sense of patriotism when national teams are playing and as in other parts of the world, some of the Namibian football fans need to learn that when you get to the pitch, you support your team in a positive spirit or you stay home.There is no place for hooliganism in this game and the players, coaches, referees and media people do not need to be bombarded with foul language that does not solve anything.Everyone takes a swipe at the performance of a specific player or the team as a whole, that leaves much to be desired on their patriotism, especially when the national side is in action.There are die-hard fans who shout at the top of their voices to urge on their teams or players, but criticism on the stands and away from the field is rampant among some Namibian football supporters.The national team is sometimes left in the cold as there is virtually no one shouting for them despite playing at home.This has happened in many of their matches.There has been numerous occasions where Namibian fans were shut out in the race of shouting or singing in unison as support for their teams by a small group of visiting fans.Recently Civics fans were outdone by a small but vocal group of Angolan supporters who made more noise (that is urging their players to go for goals) than the locals.This was a Champions League match in which Civics hosted Atletico de Luanda at the Independence Stadium some weeks ago.That was not the first time.Most of the Cosafa Cup matches that Namibia had a chance to play at home see little vocal support coming from the home fans, with most in the business of firing missiles, launching verbal attacks when the team is not performing.Vulgar language and a lack of respect for the game and players is what some supporters are familiar with and this is prevalent in domestic premiership matches too.Ideally, one would think that the national side or a club needs the support from its fans in good and bad times.But in Namibia, it is constant criticism and unfortunately there are no solutions or any justification for such criticism.The media have also come under fire for allegedly biased reports, especially towards premiership clubs.There seems to be little understanding of how this works and why.Winning teams get the publicity and losers have to work hard to earn that.Players who deliver the goods will always be put in the limelight and poor performing players will have to strive for that too.Simple as that.In the domestic game, I have seen some supporters verbally abusing players of their teams and sometimes the opposing teams, referees are also going through the same treatment, while the coaches have no choice but to take the blame.It is a shame for some of these so-called football supporters to make an effort of coming to the stadiums with the intention of lambasting players and officials for not getting the results.Unfortunately in football, you win some and you lose some and both teams cannot win.The point is that there is a negative culture of showing support in this country that needs to be looked into.The mother body should cultivate a supporting culture that unifies people especially when the national teams are in action.The Brave Warriors supporters clubs is one good initiative.The football authorities, and even the Namibia Premier League, have a duty to make the brand of football exciting to people.People need to firstly enjoy the game and through this they will learn how to appreciate what it means to win and and admit on losing.Supporters’ clubs at the various teams have done little in urging their fans to be disciplined and show good sportsmanship.One wonders if these clubs exist in reality or are they just on paper.Football is just a game and people should realise that players can make mistakes and cost teams dearly, but with a positive support base, they can lift their performance and bring in the desired results.It is time that football fans who frequent the pitches over weekends refrain from verbally harassing players and journalists because of what they think is right.Fans should go to matches to stand behind their teams despite the outcome of the match.There should be a sense of patriotism when national teams are playing and as in other parts of the world, some of the Namibian football fans need to learn that when you get to the pitch, you support your team in a positive spirit or you stay home.There is no place for hooliganism in this game and the players, coaches, referees and media people do not need to be bombarded with foul language that does not solve anything.