Namibia Premier Football League (NPFL) administrator Mabos Vries has called on football fans to go to stadiums and support local teams in order to help the clubs financially.

He was speaking to Nampa on Tuesday, when he said the local league was in competition with well-established European leagues on weekends.

“If you go with the results, our league is competitive. The last (local league) match before the World Cup was the only one that had a huge score. Most of the score lines are 1-0 or 2-1. But there is room for improvement,” Vries said.

He said the league is exhausting for the players, especially when they have to play two matches over a single weekend, including travelling long distances between towns.

Vries noted that local fans prefer to watch international leagues on television and not the NPFL, a situation which makes it difficult for sponsors to come on board as they get little or no mileage.

“Currently, the attendance is very poor. Clubs are trying their level best to promote matches with the hope of luring more fans to the stadium. They use social media platforms to attract fans, but still, the international leagues always draw more fans,” he said.

He also attributed the low turnout to the lack of facilities close to the supporters.

“For supporters in Katutura to watch a match at UNAM (University of Namibia) Stadium, they will spend nothing less than N.dollars 200 for the weekend for transport, food and drinks. That is too much and many cannot afford it,” he said.

He appealed to the powers that be to fix stadiums like the Khomasdal, Katutura and Sam Nujoma stadiums to attract more fans to football matches because of their proximity to the fans.

The NPFL will make a welcome return on Saturday and Sunday with mouth-watering fixtures following a month-long hiatus due to the festive season.

Saturday fixtures:

Life Fighters versus (vs) African Stars, Mokati Stadium

Blue Waters vs Orlando Pirates, Jan Wilken Stadium

Eleven Arrows vs Tigers, Jan Wilken Stadium

Civics vs Okahandja United, Khomasdal Stadium

Citizens vs Mighty Gunners, Nau-aib Stadium

Julinho Sporting vs Young Brazilians, Rundu Stadium

Young African vs UNAM, Legare Stadium

Black Africa vs Tura Magic, UNAM Stadium

Sunday fixtures:

Eleven Arrows vs Orlando Pirates, Jan Wilken Stadium

Blue Waters vs Tigers, Jan Wilken Stadium

Citizens vs Okahandja United, Nau-aib Stadium

Civics vs Mighty Gunners, Khomasdal Stadium

Life Fighters vs Young Brazilians, Mokati Stadium

Julinho Sporting vs African Stars, Rundu Stadium

UNAM vs Black Africa, UNAM Stadium

Black Africa vs Young African, UNAM Stadium

(NAMPA)

Source: The Namibian Press Agency