NFA shuts door to unregistered clubs

• By Michael Uugwanga

T HE Namibia Football Association (NFA) secretary-general, Franco Cosmos has said that the door for clubs that have failed to register with the new transition football league -the Namibia Premier Football League (NPFL) – is finally closed for the upcoming season that will start later this month.

The notable four clubs that did not join the NPFL from the expelled Namibia Premier League (NPL) are Okahandja United, Life Fighters, UNAM and African Stars.

Speaking to Confidente Sport, Cosmos said they had pleaded several times with the four clubs to join the new league but they continue to refuse.

Cosmos, however said that the four clubs can only join the NPFL next season as there is no space left for them in the forthcoming soccer calendar of the NFA, adding that this season there will be no relegations.

“This (NPFL) is a transition league.

We are on record that we have invited all the 16 clubs to join. The door is now closed, but they (the four clubs) can only join next season. How many times did we ask them to come on board? If we wait until at the 11th hour, then when are we going to plan? This season we are just going to test and see, and then next season it is when there will be relegations and promotions.

”

After nearly two years without domestic football, the NFA is set to start the soccer season with the NFA Bounce Back Cup that will see 12 ex-NPL and lower division clubs playing out in the tournament.

The NFA Bounce Back Cup will run from April 17 to July 31 2021.

The 12 clubs that have joined the NPFL are Black Africa, Blue Waters, Tigers, Citizens, Orlando Pirates, Julinho, Civics, Young African, Tura Magic, Young Brazilian, Eleven Arrows and Mighty Gunners.

The NPL was expelled in 2020 as a member of the NFA after the NPL allegedly brought football into disrepute following the NPL’s failure to follow a directive given by the NFA regarding the relegation and promotion of teams after the 2018/2019 soccer season.