Wake-up call for local football

Limba MupetamiWINDHOEK Despite news that various football showpieces have gotten the green light, questions and concerns on when local football will resume are rife. The Namibia Football Association (NFA) said the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier matches will take place around 9 to 17 November as well as between 22 and 30 March 2021.The Brave Warriors are expected to compete in the Fifa World Cup qualifying matches, but will play friendlies before this to test the team's readiness. Local players can also look forward to the African Nations Championship competition.Squad selection woesIt would be easy to pick players based on past performance, but with no action having taken place for quite some time, squad selection might prove to be a problem for the current coaches. Players who formed the core of the national side have become spectators to the country's football infighting, with their boots collecting dust and the whereabouts of others unknown. Some players have returned to their home towns and villages, unable to keep up with city expenses. Under former coach Ricardo Mannetti, the policy was that players without clubs and who have seen limited action simply do not make the squad.In the past, this motivated players to seek clubs locally and beyond Namibian borders in order to secure national team spots.However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic as well as the state of football in the country, that policy might have to be shelved for better days.All is not lostPlayers like Dynamo Fredericks, Marcel Papama and Awillo 'Willy' Stephanus have been seen practicing at various venues in the capital to keep fit, but many others have lost all motivation to keep going. If this is not a wake-up call for football leaders, there is trouble ahead.But not all is lost. Head gaffer Bobby Samaria and assistant Woody Jacobs still have the foreign legion of players to carry the team through. Players in various leagues across the world include Peter Shalulile, Deon Hotto, Teberius Lombard, Riaan !Hanamub and Ananias Gebhardt, amongst others.Meanwhile, the hope is that local players will also be able to show their mettle and be selected for their capabilities.Today's intervention by the Namibia Sports Commission to announce the outcome of the Namibia Premier League's application to become a member might once and for all give local players the green light to get back on the pitch.

Wake-up call for local football

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-03-19

Please login to leave a comment

Wake-up call for local football

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-03-19

Please login to leave a comment

Login