Okahandja United FC chairperson Johannes ‘Congo’ Hindjou has criticised NPFL teams for wearing Debmarine-branded jerseys in the new football season that kicked off last weekend.
Debmarine Namibia has sponsored the Namibia Premier Football League (NPFL) for the past three seasons with an annual amount of N$18 million, however, Debmarine pulled the plug on the three-year marriage it enjoyed with the Namibia Football Association (NFA).
The current 2025/26 football season saw teams wearing jerseys branded with previous sponsor Debmarine.
Speaking to Desert FM recently, Hindjou said he appreciated the government for injecting N$10 million to start the season, but the former midfield maestro was not happy to see teams playing with Debmarine-branded jerserys in the new football season.
“I am also confused. We started a new season last Friday. The question that I asked myself was, ‘what jerseys are we going to play in?’.
“Are we going to use the jersey branded ‘Debmarine’? Is Debmarine still the sponsor of the new season?” Hindjou asked.
“As a club, I have a brand to protect. I cannot continue using Debmarine-branded jerseys, promoting their brand, and us not getting anything from them,” Hindjou said.
The Okahandja United FC chair said teams do not have jerseys for the new football season.
“As a club, we play with Debmarine-branded jerseys. They are going to get free marketing space from the clubs. Maybe for the duration of two to three matches until we know what is happening.”
Okahandja-based football analyst Hector Mawango describes the abnormality as extremely unprofessional for teams to play with jerseys from a former sponsor.
“What if something goes wrong and compromises the reputation of Debmarine Namibia?”
Mawango says should anything happen that would further strain the relationship between the NFA and Debamarine, it would be difficult for the association to go back and ask Debmarine to be a sponsor.
He argues that when a potential sponsor is contacted, they will without a doubt see the NFA’s unprofessionalism when looking at the status quo.
“The NFA does not have a clue how to run the affairs. It would have made sense had the teams played with plain jerseys.”
Mawango says it does not feel like a new season because teams are still playing in Debmarine-branded attire.
“People must feel something fresh because it’s a new season.”
Echoing Mawango’s sentiments is another football analyst, Waka Katuamba, who says: “It’s very sad to see some teams still playing with old gear which still has Debmarine branded on it.
“I am not sure if this season was well planned or things were done in a rush or what this is, but it is very embarrassing and can’t be allowed at this level.
“Remember, the premier league is the top level you get when it comes to domestic football, and it is not a good example of the lower division in the country. The funny part is you are still promoting a sponsor that ditched you, a sponsor that said in your face that they are done with you, this is what you’re continuing to promote in your league,” Katuamba says.
“If it’s the teams themselves using these kits and not the NPFL directive, I think these teams must be called to order or even be fined.
“We should all remember, it’s not the league’s responsibility to get you playing gear, teams must look for sponsors and brand their playing gear themselves. It’s high time teams run around and sell and market themselves to companies and get sponsors,” Katuamba stresses.
“What if Debmarine decides to sue for using their good name in the league?”
Katuamba says those responsible for the NPFL must not allow this to continue.
“Playing and promoting a sponsor that is no longer with the league is an embarrassment.”
NFA spokesperson Isack Hamata says the NPFL clubs will have to use the old playing gear for the 2025/26 season because there is curently no sponsor.
“Clubs will have to use their playing gear as there is no sponsor yet. When a sponsor comes on board the situation will be reviewed, and a decision will be taken in line with what has been agreed with the sponsor.”
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