No league matches at Sam Nujoma Stadium

… no money to upgrade stadium pitch and facilities

By Michael Uugwanga

THE Sam Nujoma Stadium is not fit to host competitive football activities due to its dilapidated conditions and the stadium only fit to accommodate football training sessions.

Constructed in 2005, named after Namibia’s founding Father, Dr Sam Nujoma, the stadium previously known as the Katutura Stadium has a capacity of just over 10 300, and has over the years been used to host league matches and international matches, in particular national team games.

Last year the Namibia Football Association (NFA) was slapped with a fine of about N$85 800 by Confederation of African Football (CAF) for using the dilapidated stadium for international matches.

CAF has since declared the stadium substandard and no longer fit for use, leaving the country without a stadium to host international matches, with South Africa’s stadiums the new home for Namibian national teams.

Local football teams have also been affected by this, notably Windhoek based teams in the Debmarine Premiership, who have been force to play their home matches outside the capital.

The Sam Nujoma Stadium belongs to the City of Windhoek.

Speaking to Confidente Sports this week, City of Windhoek’s manager for parks department of economic development and community services, Uakazuvaka Kazombiaze said the decision to play matches outside Windhoek was to protect spectators.

“No matches will be played at the Sam Nujoma Stadium due to infrastructural investigation.  The stadium is not fit enough to host matches, so only training sessions will be allowed.  We cannot take that risk, I am not sure until when but investigations could last until February next year,” Kazombiaze said.

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