Factions at each other's throats

Factions at each other's throats• Erongo condemns move Each day brings to light more division among football clubs across the country. LIMBA MUPETAMI

WINDHOEK



Various factions are at each other's throats about where they stand regarding the Namibia Football League's (NFA) envisioned Top Tier League.

On Tuesday the Erongo faction of Black Africa (BA) condemned the move by “a few” Windhoek-based supporters who have indicated allegiance to the proposed Top Tier League.

The Swakopmund faction, chaired by Hillary /Goagoses, said Windhoek-based supporters cannot take the lead on behalf of the BA brand.



Stay out of our business

In a letter addressed to the acting secretary-general of the NFA, Franco Cosmos, /Goagoses said, 'How dare you state that since BA is a community team, anyone can apply on behalf of BA and accepted an application from a self-styled branch chairperson to join the purported league, yet you had written the invitation to the chairperson of BA.”

She was referring to a comment Cosmos had made in an article headlined 'Dirty football soap opera continues', published by this paper.

She further warned Cosmos to stay out of the internal affairs of BA.

'The least you can do is to respect the office of the SG of NFA.

'Let it be known that Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Arandis and Karibib supporters are not in agreement and are denouncing the 'BA applies to NFA' saga and henceforth are firmly standing behind the current Interim Committee of this brand.”

The committee consists of Browny Mutrifa (chairperson), Lakka /Goagoseb (vice-chairperson), Doris Lamperth, Rebekka /Goagoses and Bonny Paulino.



Flipside of the coin

Cosmos said he would not comment on these statements.

'Just wait for the Namibia Sports Commission,” he said on Tuesday.

The letter drafted by the Erongo faction comes after supporters Lucky Richter, Lollo Goraseb, Albert Makabanye, Pack Mokaleng, Lesley Goraseb and Clement Moncho forwarded an application to the league without consulting the interim committee.

In the letter the group said BA is standing at a crossroads of a leadership crisis that threatens to cause irreparable damage to the 2018/19 champions.

'The crossroads are that the committee dubiously registered the club with the expelled NPL without consent and proper consultation from the broader base, as well as supporters who wish to affiliate with the league,” read the letter.

So far, from the 16 clubs invited to join the league, claims are that Julinho Sporting, Mighty Gunners, Blue Waters, Young Africa, BA, Young Brazilians, Civics, Citizens, Orlando Pirates and Tigers have applied.

Cosmos told Nampa that they are now going to vet these clubs and see who qualifies to play in the country's top league.

“Those that do not qualify will fall away,” he said.

When asked how they would deal with clubs like BA, Blue Waters, Young Brazilians and Citizens who are divided on the issue, Cosmos said the vetting process would sort that out.

“One of the requirements is that these clubs should have a constitution. They also need to have had an annual general meeting, among other requirements. So, those clubs that are divided will be eliminated by the vetting process,” Cosmos explained.

When asked what the vetting process would entail, Cosmos said Article 10.3 of the NFA constitution would be the guiding document for the vetting.

This Article requires several commitments from would-be members, including declarations of compliance with the Cosafa, Caf and Fifa constitutions, declarations not to take football matters to ordinary courts, submission of a legally valid constitution and regulations of the clubs.

The due date for application to the league was 23 August.