NFA not toxic – Cosmos

NFA not toxic – Cosmos• agendas tarnishing Football House The secretary-general of the NFA, says the organisation is not toxic by itself, but is being made so by people with their propaganda and agendas. LIMBA MUPETAMI

WINDHOEK



Franco Cosmos was responding to rumours circulating about him being on thin ice as his boss, Ranga Haikali, the president of the Namibia Football Association (NFA), wanted to fire him but has cooled down following recommendations to keep him on as an advisor.

The recommendation was allegedly­ made by the former chief officer of the Fifa member association division, Vernon Mosengo-Omba.

Mosengo-Omba is the newly appointed secretary-general SG of CAF and also appointed the now defunct Normalisation Committee which was led by Hilda Basson-Namundjebo.

“This is not factual, rumour mongers. Who made these rumours, Kahiriri? And you believe that?” asked Cosmos.

Outspoken football analyst Olsen Kahiriri did indeed make this utterance on social media.

Kahiriri said Mosengo-Omba had advised Haikali not to fire Cosmos but rather to make him a legal advisor of the NFA, a position which currently does not exist. “Corruption in Fifa is now at CAF and NFA,” Kahiriri said.

Asked if there was any proof of these allegations, Kahiriri said Namibian Sun should ask former NFA SG Barry Rukoro, as he might have more information.

Rukoro did not respond before going to print. However, Haikali added that he cannot be expected to comment on rumours, especially when they originate from non-NFA members.

“I was never in conversation with Olsen Kahiriri at all. If I may advise, refrain from following up or writing about rumours or from controversial characters who are doing nothing but tarnishing the NFA brand or insulting people willy-nilly,” said Haikali.

Haikali and Cosmos both attended the 43rd CAF general assembly congress in Rabat, Morocco, over the weekend.



Know when to speak

A football pundit who refused to be named said some analysts should stop using social media to spread propaganda.

“There are opinions, factual things and sometimes there are stories made up to tarnish people's names. We need to know what is what. Yes, it's true; sometimes where there is smoke, there is fire, but we must know how to deliver news and stop defaming people's characters.”

He added that there are also those who are losing it and have started insulting the heads of the football association.

“Imagine insulting someone's mother just because of football politics. These things need to stop. If we must debate or disagree, let's do so respectfully,” he said.