Windhoek: Clubs in Namibia's elite football division face a crucial decision over the future of the Namibia Premier Football League (NPFL) after the Namibia Football Association (NFA) congress approved greater autonomy for the top-flight competition ahead of the 2026/27 season.
According to Namibia Press Agency, with the new season set to kick off on 18 September 2026, the clubs must decide whether to begin operating under an independent league structure or continue under the model proposed by the NFA, as two key issues, including the league's registration with the association, remain unresolved.
In an interview with Nampa on Thursday, Mali Ngarizemo, chairperson of the committee overseeing the transition, said the process had reached a critical stage, with the clubs ultimately expected to determine whether the league starts the new season on schedule as an independent entity. 'It is up to the clubs to decide whether they want football to start on time or not. What we are currently discussing is that if we don't go independently and choose the NFA model, what benefits would clubs continue receiving such as the prize money and monthly grants,' he said.
He noted that one of the major concerns raised at a meeting last week was sponsorship and transparency. According to Ngarizemo, some member clubs had claimed that sponsors were ready to support an independent league, but the committee had not been given sufficient information about the potential sponsors. 'There are claims that sponsors are there, but we do not know who these sponsors are. Clubs or individuals negotiating with a potential sponsor should disclose this information to all member clubs so that they can collectively assess the options available and make an informed decision on which model to adopt,' he said.
Ngarizemo stressed that transparency was essential as the future of the league cannot be determined by information held by one or two individuals. 'The committee wants to ensure that the proposed independence of the league is not hijacked by lies, but instead built on openness and accurate information available to every club. All clubs must be in possession of the required information,' Ngarizemo stated.
He said the committee's progress had brought the clubs closer to making a decision, but warned that the success of the transition would ultimately depend on unity, transparency and the willingness of all stakeholders to work from the same information.