Mbidi panics over Cosafa penaltiesNFA leader urges corporate Namibia to rescue the situation The NFA president says Cosafa could penalise Namibia if the under-20 team does not pitch for the regional tournament. Namibia Football Association (NFA) president Frans Mbidi has expressed concern about the consequences if the national under-20 team fails to participate in the Confederations of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) tournament.The regional football tournament is slated for December in South Africa. But the NFA announced this week that the team might not travel to the championships due to a lack of funds.
This is after the Ministry of Sports dissuaded the NFA from participating in international competitions because of the dire financial situation the country is experiencing.
“I am not so worried about the team not playing in the tournament, but I am more worried about the consequences that which could transpire if we do not pitch up in South Africa.
“This is a professional tournament and therefore we could be punished for snubbing the tournament.
“Cosafa could suspend us for years and this can affect our football which is already in big trouble,” Mbidi said.
The president further disclosed that the only money that the association has at the moment is the annual FIFA grant from the world football governing body.
The NFA recently received U$500 000 (N$6.7 million) from FIFA as annual grant.
“We could have sacrificed some of these funds and donated it to the under-20 team, but FIFA will not allow us to do so.
“This money is strictly for administrative purposes like the development of referees and coaches, but not for trips of teams taking part in such competitions.
“The FIFA money will also be utilised to sponsor the 14 second-division regional leagues who in total require around N$1.2 million,” he said.
Mbidi pleaded with corporate Namibia to come on board and help the team to attend the tournament.
“This is a Namibian problem and not just the problem of the football association.
“Once again we call upon anyone with something to offer to contribute so that the team can travel to South Africa.
“We have so many corporate companies in Namibia, and now is the time that we act as patriots of this country.”
Namibia will be the second country to withdraw from the tournament if the NFA fails to raise funds. Rwanda withdrew from the tournament citing technical challenges.
JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA