By Michael Uugwanga

ALTHOUGH the Namibia Football League (NFL), previously known as Debmarine Premiership and the First National Bank (FNB) Women Super League (WSL), are amateur leagues, there are reports that in men football some players are earning a cool N$8,000 per month.

In the FNB WSL, the highest player is believed to be earning around N$2,500 per month. The lowest paid player in men football league  is believed to be earning a round N$500 per month depending on the team one is playing for and financial power at that club’s disposal.

Clubs like African Stars, Chula Chula, Blue Waters and Bucks Buccaneers are one of the highest paying clubs in the country.
In the FNB WSL, a team like FC Ongos and African Stars Queens are the highest paying clubs, while UNAM Bokkies and Namib Daughters gives  monthly allowances to its players, with longest serving players getting more allowances than others.
Other teams like Okahandja Ladies FC only buy toiletries for its players.

Confidente had made attempts to reach out to various top clubs in men football, to reveal the amount they spend on players’ wages, however all of the clubs refused to comment. despite players’ salaries globally becoming topical around the world, including players in neighbouring leagues in countries such as South Africa, Angola, Botswana and even Eswatini.

In South Africa, Namibian footballers such as Peter Shalulile and Deon Hotto are reportedly to be some of the highest paid footballers in that league, with Shalulile earning around N$400,000 per month, while Hotto is reportedly earning roughly N$500 000 per month, according to various outlets in that country.

In Botswana Premiership, Namibian footballers, Ivan Kamberipa, Marcel Papama, Dynamo Fredericks are earning between N$30,000 to N$60,000 per month. Some players  spoke to Confidente on condition of anonymity due to victimization, some clubs are robbing players.

“I cannot talk about other players’ salaries, but I know one that is under paid, as according to the agreement between the two parties his salary was cut. At my club some players earn around N$2,000 per month, some on N$2,200 and some are on N$7,000, said the player.

“The highest paid player is on N$8,000 per month. “I really do not know anything, sorry,” said the player. “I doubt if anyone at my club earns above N$4,000 per month,” said another player. Owner of Okahandja Ladies FC, Lee Hangula said that his club buys toiletries to players as the club depends on the monthly grant.

“We do not give salaries to players because we do not have a sponsor. Most of our players are not based in Okahandja, meaning we had to spend money to pay for their transport. We only buy toiletries for them,” said Hangula. The coach of Namib Daughters, Ryan Matsi said that the club does not give salaries but only allowances.

“We only give allowances, but it all depends on the number of years the player is with the team,” said Matsi.  V-Power Angels founder and coach Risto Shikomba said that the reason why the club does not give salaries to its players it is because the NFA does not release grants on time.

“What kills us most is transport, not just to travel, but also for training. If the NFA was to release the grants then that would be different. We have even reduced our training to two days a week,” said Shikomba.