Club players and vendors share common fears

Football players that play for domestic Namibian clubs have raised their concerns over the current state and future prospects of the local game.

Similar concerns have been echoed by the vendors that sell their products at stadiums before and during football matches.

Many of them now have fears that the situation might head south given the fact that there has been little to no indication about the start of the 2024-2025 football season.

Sport Wrap last week reported on the Namibia Football Association’s rumoured struggles to pen a sponsorship deal in order to have the season started.

According to reporting, several clubs are not happy with the current administration and are seeking for amicable solutions in order for them and the clubs to be on the same page.

All this has created worry among those that play football in lower and senior leagues, fearing that football might come to a standstill again.

“We went through a very difficult period when football was at a standstill for a while (from 2020 to 2022) and we do hope that will not be the case again.

“Many of the players that play here in this country survive from the little income they get from football clubs and that is why it has become worrisome for all of us,” national team goalkeeper Maximilian Mbaeva said, who played for Tigers in the Debmarine Namibia Premier Football League last season.

A young player from Outjo who plays in the lower leagues, Ben Petrus, also raised his fears after there has been no clear direction given to the players in terms of when the football will possibly start.

At his age, his dream has been to elevate to the upper leagues, but fears that the dream might not become a reality if things do not change in the days to come.

“This reminds me of a time when things really went bad for Namibian football, because there is just so much uncertainty as things stand.

“At my age, I am hoping to elevate myself to the upper leagues, but I just do not know if things can improve one day,” Petrus said.



Concerned

A vendor who always sells merchandise during matches, Natalia Jacobs, is another concerned party.

“Right now, I do not know what to think, because things in Namibian football seems to be heading the wrong way.

“We used to make a living from selling at the stadiums, but with what we are reading in the papers, it has become a concern,” Jacobs said.

Football administrators at the top have however tried their best to convey a reassuring message that the football season will start in due time and that more meetings with stakeholders are being arranged.