Namibian football finally gets underway this weekend when the opening round of the Namibia Premier Football League (NPFL) kicks off throughout the country.
After the withdrawal of former sponsor Debmarine Namibia, the Namibian government came to the Namibia Football Association’s rescue with a N$10-million grant and now, nearly two months after its planned start, the league is finally back.
Although the government grant is still N$8 million short of its target, NFA spokesperson Isack Hamata yesterday said the association is hopeful it would meet its budget target, while also confirming that the prize money would remain the same as last season.
The league winners will receive N$850 000, the runners-up N$420 000, the third-placed team N$320 000, the fourth-placed team N$230 000, and the fifth-placed team N$180 000.
The teams placed sixth to 10th will also receive prize money of N$160 000, N$140 000, N$120 000, N$100 000 and N$80 000, respectively.
African Stars have dominated the league in recent years, winning the title for the past three years in a row, and are determined to continue their supremacy, according to coach Bob Mafoso.
“African Stars is a big club and we always want to compete at the highest level, so we definitely want to make it four in a row. We always need to stay hungry and the light needs to continue burning, so we’ve brought in a few new players to maintain that competiveness and hunger,” he says.
Stars’ talismanic forward Willy Stephanus has joined Saudi Arabian second division club Hetten FC, but they have been strengthened by several new signings from abroad, including South African winger Jaylen Trent, Zambian striker Emmanuel Kalala, and Ghanaian striker Mohammed Aminu.
Besides that, Namibian international winger Wendell Rudath has joined from Botswana, while they also signed Tino Guiseb of Tuks University, Tuli Nashixwa from Tigers, and goalkeeper Michael James and national midfielder Lawrence Doeseb, both of Eeshoke Chula Chula.
National attacking midfielder Edmar Kamatuka is also back after a stint in South Africa, as is their top goalscorer from last season, Abraham Tjahikika.
Despite their star-studded squad they face a tough encounter in their opening match at Independence Stadium on Sunday against perennial title challengers Khomas Nampol, Mafoso says.
“It’s a very important match for us, and if you look at the previous seasons you will see that Khomas Nampol are always competing for the title. I’d say its a top-of-the-log clash between two teams eyeing league honours, so it’s a big match and it’s very important that we start on a winning note,” he says.
Khomas Nampol finished third over the past two seasons and their coach, Fortune Eichab, says they are aiming for higher honours.
“It’s an honour to play the defending champions in our opening match – they will want to retain their trophy, but my boys are highly motivated and looking forward to the match.
“We always want to improve on the previous season, so we are aiming for first or second place this season. But we need to beat the champions if we want to improve, and that is our aim against Stars,” he says.
“We’ve had a good pre-season, training for about eight weeks now, while we also saw progress in last weekend’s friendly matches, when we lost 3-2 to FC Ongos, but beat Julinho Athletics 3-1,” he says.
Nampol have most of their stalwarts back, like experienced defender Denzil Haoseb, midfielders Reverend Matroos and Ben Namib, and strikers Salazar Ngunzu and George Frans, while former Brave Warriors striker Terdius Uiseb has also joined them from Botswana.
ONGOS V UNAM
The league kicks off with another interesting encounter at Independence Stadium tonight between FC Ongos and Unam.
Ongos have been among the main title challengers in recent years, finishing fourth and second over the past two seasons, and their coach, Agnus Elemu, says they are aiming to be among the title contenders.
“We always want to do better than in the past, so we want to compete for the title this season.”
He, however, added that Unam will be a tough opponent.
“Unam is never easy, they have a strong technical bench and they always give us a good run for our money. Last season we won both our matches against them, but we have to be cautious against them and will just take it minute by minute,” he says.
Ongos have also been busy in the transfer market, bringing in South African defender Lyema Dopolo, who was on the books of SuperSport United, as well as Tigers and national midfielder Devin Somseb.
Apart from these players, the core of their squad remains, including experienced players like Larry Horaeb, Stanley Ndjavera, Wangu Gome, Simon Elago, Nicodemus Haikali and Immanuel Heita.
Unam coach Robert Nauseb says it is “great to have football back in Namibia”.
“It’s our livelihood for the coaches and players, so it was devastating not to have it for such a long time. But we have had enough time to prepare and we are ready and looking forward to the league,” he says.
“Ongos is a difficult team to beat, but we’re ready and we’ve devised a game plan to beat them,” he says.
Regarding their title chances, Nauseb says they will remain realistic.
“I think a realistic target is to finish among the top-three teams. We finished sixth last season and fourth the year before, so if we can improve we can make the top three,” he says.
