Rundu: The North East First Division Football League concluded over the weekend, with Rundu Chiefs crowned champions, while Shooting Stars and Kulisika Palace were relegated after a series of losses in their league matches for the 2024/2025 season. Rundu Chiefs now officially rejoin the Debmarine Premier Football League after being relegated eight years ago and will replace Cuca Tops, whose time in the top league was brief, lasting just one season.
According to Namibia Press Agency, Rundu Chiefs had an outstanding season, with promotion and title aspirations as their primary objectives. Chiefs finished the season in style, securing a 3-2 victory over arch-rivals United Stars at the Unam Stadium on Sunday. The Rundu-based team won the league with a comfortable total of 45 points, establishing a seven-point gap between themselves and second-placed Tsumeb-based Chiefs Santos, who ended the season with 38 points. However, Chiefs Santos concluded the season with a 2-1 defeat to Oshikango Chiefs.
In third place, KK United dispatched Kulisika Palace with a decisive 4-1 victory, while Eastern Chiefs delivered the final blow to Shooting Stars' hopes of survival with a 3-2 victory. Kangweru Black Tops secured their position in the league by triumphing over Ntunguru FC 1-0, while Further Fighters avoided relegation with a 0-0 draw against Ohangwena NamPol in an all-Ohangwena encounter.
Three teams finished the season on 38 points: Chiefs Santos (2), KK United (3), and United Stars in fourth place, clearly demonstrating the competitiveness of the league. Ohangwena NamPol took fifth place with 34 points, followed by Ntunguru FC (6) and Eastern Chiefs (7), both finishing with 30 points each.
Oshikango Chiefs did not meet the expectations of the fans, who had hoped that the team from the far north would perform better this season and emerge victorious to claim the title, given their commendable performance last season. They ended in eighth place with 27 points, just one point ahead of Kangweru Black Tops (9) and Further Fighters (10).
The relegated teams, Shooting Stars and Kulisika Palace, managed to collect only 21 and 13 points, respectively, throughout the season.