Cosafa still aliveNamibia Football Association has refused to give up on the Cosafa U-20 tournament despite its dire financial situation. NFA working hard to find solutions As the U-20 Cosafa tournament days are drawing closer, the NFA president Frans Mbidi says the situation is precarious considering the fact that cooperating companies in the country are reluctant to bail out the association.The association received devastating news from the Directorate of Sports that there are no funds for the team to participate in the tournament slated to take place next month.
Mbidi however told Namibian Sun that while the deadline for submitting the list of players who will take part in the competition was last week, the association has made a decision not to sit back and watch.
The association will submit the names of the players while the boys will be called up for camp.
Although Mbidi could not say when the boys will camp, he said: “The deadline was on Tuesday, and the names are there and the team is ready. It is only that we need to start training and get the money to get to South Africa.
“We have already called the boys to prepare because we cannot fail to prepare in the absence of money. What if the money comes on the last day and we have to travel? So, that is why we have made arrangements for the boys to come into camp,” he asked.
Emphasising the association''s positive spirit, Mbidi said the team will prepare regardless of the bankruptcy.
“It is also difficult for us to say what will happen next as there are plans underway but I cannot disclose those plans. NFA does not borrow money, so it is not necessary to get an overdraft,” said Mbidi.
Meanwhile the Cosafa Competitions Committee chairman, Timothy Shongwe said they are expecting Namibia in South Africa.
He said Cosafa has not received any cancellation or withdrawal of the Namibia U/20 national team and therefore “we are expecting Namibia to participate in this tournament as confirmed by the NFA.”
He further said preparations for the Cosafa tournament are at an advanced stage and Namibia is expected to be in South Africa in December with the rest of the participating Cosafa countries.
The 2016 Cosafa Under-20 Championship will be held in Moruleng, in the North West province from 07-16 December.
Namibia is in Group C with Angola, Seychelles and Mauritius.
KAINO NGHITONGO