NFA president calls for improvement, support

Football
The need for consistent development and government support to strengthen football, improve national team performance, and prepare for future tournaments, was emphasised by the NFA leader.
Leandrea Mouers
  • 4 Hours Ago

The president of the Namibia Football Association (NFA), Robert Shimooshili, remains positive and emphasises that the country needs to improve in football to qualify for and participate in both new competitions (such as the African Nations League) as well as traditional tournaments like AFCON.

Namibia is not included in the newly established African Nations League by CAF, which is set to be played annually starting in 2029.

“CAF continuously innovates football competitions to enhance quality and add value to African football. We have seen similar developments globally, including new competitions introduced by FIFA,” Shimooshili said.

“Namibia did not qualify for AFCON this time, but other countries did. This is part of football. Even major football nations, such as Nigeria, have failed to qualify for the World Cup in the past. These things happen over time, and it is not the end of the world. What matters is that this is a new competition; it is ongoing, and we remain positive.”

 

Consistent activity

One of Namibia’s main challenges is periods of inactive football, he said.

“This has affected player readiness due to a lack of consistent game time. We cannot blame the players or the coach; rather, we must look at ourselves as a nation and ask why football was inactive for so long. The simple answer is a lack of funding and sponsorship.”

Shimooshili explained that football is a valuable industry that opens doors for a country in many ways, contributing to economic growth, creating employment, and helping in the fight against poverty.

“These are the aspects we need to focus on by changing our mindset. While politics has played a role in football challenges, we choose to view these setbacks as challenges that can be overcome. Difficult, yes, but doable.”

 

Opportunity

On a more positive note, Namibia’s senior men have been invited to participate in the second edition of the 2026 FIFA Series, to play three opponents in Kazakhstan.

“This is a positive development. Preparations are already underway, with the coach assembling the team. We are ready to compete. We are grouped with Comoros, hosts Kazakhstan and Kuwait. Having played Comoros recently, we understand their strengths and weaknesses. We are confident and optimistic about our chances.”

Regarding the Brave Five, who are set to play their next Futsal AFCON qualifying round against Libya, Shimooshili commended the leadership of the futsal team.

“We are proud of the players and their leadership, and we are fully behind them as their federation. With national support, there is no doubt that we can still perform better at futsal.”

 

Continental events

Meanwhile, CAF has confirmed that the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations men’s football tournament will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

“Namibia, together with South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe, has submitted an expression of interest to co-host AFCON 2028. The deadline for submissions was 1 February, and we complied. South Africa has the capacity to host the majority of matches, while Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe could each host one group.

“By 2028, we are optimistic that our stadium infrastructure will be ready. The Sam Nujoma Stadium is under construction, and upgrades have begun on Independence Stadium. Ongos Valley has also shown readiness to construct a football stadium, subject to funding availability.”

 

Role players

Shimooshili emphasized that hosting any AFCON event requires strong government support.

“We have confidence in our government, especially since sport has been identified as a priority sector. Budget allocations for sports facilities are a positive sign. The NFA has also received unprecedented funding – over N$40 million – to manage and administer football, most of which goes directly to national teams across all age and gender categories.”

Shimooshili added that people are quick to claim the association is ‘broke.’

“It must be understood that the association itself is not a commercial entity. It relies on donor funding, sponsorships, and support from CAF and FIFA, which provide operational funding for salaries, development, leagues, and capacity building.

“Sponsorships for leagues would be a bonus, and while some are currently lacking, government support has helped fill the gap.

“We want to see football development across all regions of Namibia – not just in one area. We appreciate the government, and particularly the President, for prioritizing sports infrastructure and bringing sport closer to the people.”

He added that he and his team are now in their third year as NFA leadership.

“We have established new leagues, improved organization across divisions, and focused on training, development, and regional infrastructure. One key objective is to ensure proper regional football offices, rather than officials operating from homes or informal settings. We continue to serve and focus on strengthening Namibian football.”