NFA house of confusion

NFA house of confusion• Cosmos says football will start on 17 April Namibia Football Association (NFA) president Ranga Haikali's wish to have the league postponed to August fell on deaf ears after the NFA executive voted for the season to start on 17 April. JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA

WINDHOEK



The Namibia Football Association executive committee has resolved to start the football calendar on 17 April on a transitional league format.

This is alleged to be against the decision that was initially suggested by the NFA president Ranga Haikali.

The remarks on the NFA website were however rebuffed by NFA secretary-general Franco Cosmos and those who are in support of the league starting on 17 April.

“All the leagues and MTC NFA cup preliminary rounds will kick off on 17 April 2021.

“All 12 second-division and the three first-divisions streams will play preliminary rounds on 17 April 2021 to determine the round of 32 for the MTC NFA Cup.

“The NPFL will kick off on 17 April 2021 and the other leagues will follow,” Cosmos said.

Namibian Sun is also in possession of a communication between members which states the official league, which includes promotions and relegation, will start in August to synchronise with the rest of the world.

The current transitional league will consist of 12 teams that will be divided into two groups of six each in the first phase followed by a second phase which provide three groups of four teams.

“After the completion of phase two, the log standings will be determined. No promotion and relegation during this time till 31 July.”



Haikali under pressure

Sources in the NFA structures claim that the decision to start the league led to confusion after Haikali stated on the NFA website that the Namibia Football Premier League would start in August.

“The NFA Cup will help us transit to a new well-set season of football that will start in August and therefore it is important that we do things in a certain way to achieve the objective of well-prepared leagues,” Haikali told the NFA media.

Haikali added that the transition would also help the NFA to fully implement the E-Connect system of player registration.

“Once we have this system in place and everyone understands it, then we can go take on a full season. The timeframes are now realistic and we are confident we can achieve the target.”

The NFA media further announced that the executive committee meeting held this weekend confirmed that the clubs from the Namibia Football Premier League (NFPL), the three first divisions and the 14 second divisions will be involved in the MTC NFA Cup as they prepare for league football set to commence in August 2021.

A source within the NFA committee alleges that the NFA president had initially wanted the league to be postponed but he was overpowered by the majority of the NFA executive. “This is why the first press release was wrong because the NFA president went on to give inaccurate information.

“No one is stronger or bigger than the NFA executive committee and their decision is final.”

NFA president Ranga Hailkali could not be reached for comment.