Erasmus Shalihaxwe
The Namibia Football Association (NFA) is deliberating on whether to proceed with matches without spectators in compliance with government directives during the mourning period for founding president Sam Nujoma.
On Wednesday, the NFA spokesperson, Isack Hamata, said that although the government now permits sporting events without spectators, the football governing body has yet to make a final decision.
“The leaders are conferring on the amended directives. The official position will be shared soon, I hope. But from where I stand, I do not think any club would want to play without spectators,” said Hamata.
The ban disrupted various sports events planned for the weekend, such as the MTC Maris Cup semi-final games in Mariental, the Woman Super League, and many others.
On Tuesday, Deputy Minister of Information, Communication and Technology Modestus Amutse issued new directives that sports events are allowed in limited instances for preparatory purposes and without spectators, and sporting codes that are travelling outside Namibia are not affected by the directive.
Meanwhile, the national women’s senior football team, the Brave Gladiators, is also back in camp after they were let go when the ban on sports activities was announced on Monday.
The team is preparing to face Eswatini on 19 February in the first round of the Women’s Africa Nations Cup (WAFCON) qualifiers. The second leg will take place on 26 February at the Dobsonville Stadium in South Africa.
