Erasmus Shalihaxwe
The Namibia Football Association (NFA) is mourning the death of two match officials, Helmut Andreas and Hans Petrus, who died in a car accident on Friday while en route to Windhoek to officiate at Premier League matches.
NFA Director of Marketing and Communications, Isack Hamata, confirmed the tragic loss and described it as a significant blow to refereeing development in Namibia.
Andreas, aged 55 and widely known in football circles as “Germany”, was a seasoned referee with a long-standing commitment to the game.
He held former FIFA accreditation and served as a local referee instructor, assessor, and chairperson of the Erongo Regional Refereeing Committee.
He also sat on the Namibian National Referees Committee.
“His vast experience and commitment to the development of refereeing in Namibia will be sorely missed. The loss of experienced referees like Mr Andreas significantly impacts the growth and mentorship within our refereeing structures,” said Hamata.
Petrus, 26, was recognised as a promising assistant referee with a bright future in the sport.
He had recently completed his engineering degree at the University of Namibia and was scheduled to graduate next week.
He had been officiating in the country’s top-tier football as an Elite A referee for the past three years.
“He was known as a respectful team player with immense potential. The passing of such talented and dedicated young referees like Mr Petrus is a setback for the future development of refereeing in Namibia,” Hamata said.
Another match official, Andre Helmut, was injured in the accident and remains hospitalised at Okahandja State Hospital.
Referee Pius Donatus, who was also in the vehicle, did not sustain injuries.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Andre and all other occupants of the vehicle as they recover from this unfortunate incident. The NFA calls upon the entire Namibian football community to come together in prayer and solidarity during this period of mourning,” Hamata said.
He urged the football fraternity to reflect on the lives and contributions of Andreas and Petrus, both of whom played key roles in shaping Namibian refereeing.
