Debmarine leadership hosts Miss Namibia finalits Debmarine leadership hosts Miss Namibia finalits NBC Online Tue, 06/24/2025 - 09:41

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NFA-Debmarine spat escalates  The Namibia Football Association (NFA) has accused the CEO of Debmarine Namibia, Willy Mertens, of tarnishing their image and defamation of character following their public spat that burst into the open this week. Following the conclusion of the 2024/25 Debmarine Namibia Premiership and prize-giving ceremony on Saturday, Mertens issued a statement the next day, saying that they did not feel respected or valued by the NFA leadership. “Our wish is that the NFA leadership, although absent today, would start to value, respect and appreciate sponsors, and put the development of football, the welfare of the players, and the interest of the clubs above their personal objectives,” he said. “We, at Debmarine Namibia, as a sponsor, certainly did not feel respected and valued by the NFA leadership – especially over the past two years. Only then will we move football forward in this country,” he added. The NFA yesterday, however, issued a statement through its interim general secretary, Cassius Moetie, saying that Mertens’ statements tarnished the NFA’s reputation. “The Namibia Football Association wishes to inform its members, its clubs, its players, its sponsors, key stakeholders, and the public that it was caught by surprise by the regrettable statement by Willy Mertens. “While we, at the NFA, value our partnership with Debmarine Namibia, certain assertions made by Mertens misrepresent the character and stature of the association. Left unaddressed, these inaccuracies risk unjustly tarnishing the NFA’s reputation and the upward trajectory of Namibian football,” Moetie said. Moetie said that the NFA operates under ‘clearly defined principles and objectives,’ and that the sponsorship funds from Debmarine Namibia ‘have always been allocated strictly in accordance with the agreed terms, ensuring that the intended beneficiaries, players, coaches, and officials receive their due support.’ “Our strategic direction is guided by internal governance processes. While the NFA president already addressed this matter, the association reiterates its commitment to pursuing its objectives without external pressure or undue interference,” he added. Moetie also took issue with Mertens’ statement that the NFA leadership was absent at the prize-giving ceremony. “In the unavoidable absence of the NFA president and vice president, the NFA was represented by executive council members Michael Situde and Laurence Kandundu, with myself, as the interim general secretary. It is particularly disconcerting that such statements were made at the NFA awards ceremony at which event Debmarine Namibia participated as an NFA sponsor,” Moetie said. “We find the suggestion that the NFA disrespected Debmarine Namibia both surprising and regrettable. Our sponsorship agreement creates a contractual framework for protocols of internal engagement, at which platforms Debmarine Namibia could express its views to find amicable outcomes, but certainly not in public. This was below the belt,” Moetie added. Moetie further rejected the allegation that the NFA leadership prioritised personal objectives over the welfare of clubs, players, and referees. “These claims are defamation of character of the NFA leadership that have a direct impact on the NFA brand with its football products we sell to potential sponsors,” he said. When approached for a comment yesterday, Debmarine Namibia through its communication manager, Stella Ipinge, clarified that the disrespect felt was as a result of the way in which the association handled the last match of the 2024/25 (Young African vs African Stars) season, in that the NFA changed the kickoff time without notification to the sponsor.  “We hosted the VIP booth for stakeholders and communicated the match starting time as 16h00 as confirmed by the NFA.  We arrived at the stadium on time but learned that the game had been moved to 17h30 without notifying us about the late kickoff,” she said. Regarding the absence of the NFA leadership at the prize-giving, she said Debmarine Namibia was referring to their top brass. “We were unhappy about the absence of the NFA’s top leadership without informing us – the president and the vice president, who were also not present at the 2023/24 prize giving and the launch of the 2024/25 league,” she said. Ipinge confirmed that their three-year sponsorship with the NFA, which amounted to about N$50 million in total, had now come to an end and the NFA is aware of the conditions which they committed to in November 2024 under which Debmarine Namibia would consider renewing the sponsorship, but so far Debmarine Namibia has not been approached by the NFA. NFA president Robert Shimooshili yesterday confirmed via WhatsApp that they hoped to continue with the sponsorship. “That’s what all the Namibian football personnel want; it is the wish of the entire nation to have this sponsorship renewed,” he said. The post NFA-Debmarine spat escalates  appeared first on The Namibian.

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NFA denies snubbing Premier League sponsor Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Namibia Football Association (NFA) has dismissed claims by Debmarine Namibia CEO Willy Martens that its leadership has put personal interests ahead of the welfare of clubs, players, and referees. Speaking at an awards ceremony at the Independence Stadium on Saturday, Martens criticised the NFA leadership for being absent and said sponsors deserve respect and appreciation. “We, at Debmarine Namibia, as a sponsor, did not feel respected and valued by the NFA leadership, especially over the past two years. Only then will we move football forward in this country,” Martens said. He urged the NFA to fast-track the launch of an independent league, saying the transformation project, which was part of the sponsorship agreement, is behind schedule. Martens said Debmarine has invested about N$50 million in the Debmarine Namibia Premiership over the past three years.  He said this funding helped strengthen league operations and improved pay for players, technical staff, referees, medical workers, guesthouses, and transport providers. “Our involvement started with the NFA Cup in 2015 and extended to support for the Brave Warriors, Brave Gladiators, and club teams like African Stars and Tura Magic Ladies when they played in African competitions. This amounted to close to N$80 million over the past 10 years,” Martens added. In response on Tuesday, NFA interim secretary general Cassius Moetie said Martens’ remarks misrepresented the association and could damage its reputation. “Even though the NFA values its partnership with Debmarine Namibia, certain assertions made by Martens misrepresent the character and stature of the association and cannot be left unaddressed. Their inaccuracies risk unjustly tarnishing the NFA’s reputation and the upward trajectory of Namibian football,” Moetie said. He refuted claims that the NFA leadership was absent, explaining that executive council members Michael Situde and Laurence Kandundu, along with Moetie himself, attended the event in place of the president and vice president, who were unavailable. “It is particularly disconcerting that such statements were made at the NFA Awards ceremony, an event at which Debmarine Namibia participated as an NFA sponsor,” Moetie said. He added that the NFA found the suggestion of disrespect surprising and regrettable, especially since the sponsorship agreement provides internal channels for communication. “There are protocols of internal engagement where Debmarine Namibia could express its views to find amicable outcomes – but certainly not in public,” said Moetie. He said Martens’ claims amounted to defamation of character and could negatively affect the NFA brand and its efforts to attract more sponsors. “This was below the belt. Allegation that the NFA leadership prioritised personal objectives over the welfare of clubs, players, and referees. These claims are defamation of character of the NFA leadership that has a direct impact on the NFA brand with its football products we sell to potential sponsors,” Moetie said.

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NFA-Debmarine marriage on the rocks Debmarine Namibia chief executive Willy Mertens slammed the Namibia Football Association (NFA) on Saturday, saying they do not feel respected or valued by its leadership. Speaking at the prize-giving ceremony of the Debmarine Namibia Premiership on a cold winter’s night at Independence Stadium, Mertens said the company’s relationship with the NFA has become quite chilly. “Our wish is that the NFA leadership, although absent today, would start to value, respect and appreciate sponsors, put the development of football, the welfare of the players and the interest of the clubs above their personal objectives,” he said. “We, at Debmarine Namibia, as a sponsor certainly did not feel respected and valued by the NFA leadership – especially over the past two years. Only then will we move football forward in this country,” he said. Mertens called on the NFA to launch an independent league as part of a transformation project that was lagging behind. “It is time for the league to transcend to the next stage of becoming independent from the NFA, and we hope the NFA leadership will make their commitment a reality. We believe an independent model will be the only way to attract and retain sustainable sponsorship for the league. We had hoped the transformation project would be far advanced by now.” CALL FOR FIFA GUIDANCE When contacted for comment, NFA president Robert Shimooshili said they are working on establishing an independent league, but called for guidance from world governing body Fifa. “I am out of the country and I’m not aware of Mr Willy Mertens’ comments other than what I picked up from social media. About an independent league, that is what all top-tier football personnel would like to have realised, but the past historic abnormality emanating from the top-tier league doesn’t go well with our international mother body Fifa, which is guiding, managing and monitoring in line with their existing statutes managing all 211 members’ associations, including the NFA of Namibia. “Therefore, we would like to get their guidance, if Namibia is ready or not, but at the beginning of the season they warned NFA and other countries about third-party influence and they reminded NFA about the past situation and advised that the NFA needs to normalise its football in totality before it rushes to an independent top-tier league,” he said. “The NFA is working on it and calls upon all Namibian-related stakeholders to hold hands to ensure our top-tier league becomes an independent league very soon.” Shimooshili said the NFA respects and values Debmarine Namibia’s sponsorship of football in Namibia. “The NFA and its rank and file members, as well as all football families acknowledge, respect and appreciate Debmarine Namibia and its leadership for the commitment and investments they have contributed to the game of football over the past years. “Debmarine Namibia and the NFA are economic and social partners, and the NFA would like to see many more entities contribute to social stability and development through football and follow the good example set by Debmarine Namibia,” he said. “Some entities are still reluctant to contribute to football where our youth will be the primary beneficiaries, while it will also contribute to economic growth. We need to play football in all 14 regions and 121 constituencies of Namibia simply because football unites and brings communities together, and football contributes to economic growth and development, poverty eradication, and hunger reduction. “The NFA wants to make the job of our politicians easier by uniting the people through football. Therefore, we urge football families to set negativities and differences aside and work together towards the development of the game.” Shimooshili said football politics must be avoided at all times. “Let’s allow the NFA to fulfil its mandate as a custodian of football in the country to manage, administer, control and monitor football, as well as to develop the game,” he said. INVESTMENT In his speech, Mertens said they have invested about N$50 million in the Debmarine Namibia Premiership over the past three years, which has empowered the NFA to strengthen league operations, improve remuneration for players and technical staff, referees, medical personnel, guesthouses, and lodges at various towns, as well as transport service providers. At the same time it has extended the reach of football across Namibia, he said. “Our involvement, as mentioned earlier, commenced with the NFA Cup in 2015, and extended to support for the Brave Warriors, Brave Gladiators as well as African Stars and the Tura Magic Ladies Team when they competed in the African Club competitions. This amounted to close to N$80 million over the past 10 years,” Mertens said. “Beyond the pitch, this investment has had a profound impact on livelihoods, employing 877 individuals across various roles, including technical teams, security personnel, medical staff, stadium workers, accommodation providers, transport services, referees, and vendors. “This number mirrors the workforce of Debmarine Namibia, reinforcing our belief in the transformative potential of our contributions. Just as our natural diamonds touch hearts worldwide, our investment in football touches lives right here at home,” he said. The post NFA-Debmarine marriage on the rocks appeared first on The Namibian.

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Stars, Nampol create a gap  African Stars and Khomas Nampol both collected maximum points in the Debmarine Namibia Premiership over the weekend to open up a bit of a gap on the chasing pack.  On Saturday, Stars beat Cuca Tops 3-1 through goals by Jomo Tjiveta, Vitapi Ngaruka and Godwin Eiseb and followed that up with a comprehensive 4-1 win against Julinho Sporting on Sunday, with Mbakondja Tjahikika scoring a brace, and Charles Hambira and Awilo Stephanus one goal each. That put them at the top of the log on 36 points from 19 matches, but Khomas Nampol are just one point behind after they also collected maximum points over the weekend.  On Saturday, Khomas Nampol made a great comeback to beat FC Ongos 3-1. Simon Elago gave Ongos an early lead from a corner, but Nampol struck back with second half goals by Ngunzu Salazar, Matthias Haufiku and Apollo Hangero to get a valuable win.  On Sunday their striker Ngunzu Salazar scored both goals against Tigers, which put them second on the log, just one point behind Stars on 35 points.  Nampol coach Fortune Eichab said their game plan against Tigers worked out perfectly.  “We always play to win, so we came with a plan against Tigers – we played long balls – if you play long balls against Tigers you unsettle the defence and it’s very difficult for them to contain that. Our second goal came as a result of that – out from the keeper into the box. We trained hard for this and I’m just happy for the players and the fans as well – it’s been a while since we picked up six points, but the teams around us are winning so we need to keep on winning,” he said.  The results put them right back in the title race, but Eichab said they are not concentrating on that at the moment.  “The title race is still wide open, anything can still happen, but we are not concentrating on that, we are only concentrating on our upcoming matches. We have crucial games coming up so we need to check on our games, check on our opponents and prepare well,” he said.  “If we just focus on Stars we will be out of the title race, so we will just focus on ourselves and do what is right for us.  If we play the right way we will get results and move in the right direction,” he said.  On Sunday, FC Ongos bounced back with a 1-0 win against Young Brazilians in Keetmanshoop with Simon Elago scoring the winner.  That put them on 33 points, along with Young African, who picked up maximum points after beating Cuca Tops 1-0 and Julinho Sporting 2-0.  Mighty Gunners also moved up to 33 points after collecting four points at home at the Mokati Stadium in Otjiwarongo.  On Saturday they drew 0-0 against Blue Waters, while they beat Blue Boys 3-1 on Sunday, with Stephanus Petrus, Barnand Horaseb and Edwin Axakhoeb scoring their goals while Christiaan Doeseb replied for Blue Boys.  Unam had a successful weekend on the road after drawing 0-0 against KK Palace and beating Eeshoke Chula Chula 2-1, to move up to sixth position on 30 points. Tigers beat Young Brazilians 2-1 on Saturday to move up to seventh on 27 points, with Chula Chula also on 27 after they drew 0-0 against Bucks Buccaneers on Saturday.  In other results, Okahandja United beat Blue Boys 2-0, KK Palace and Bucks Buccaneers drew 0-0, and Blue Waters beat Okahandja United 1-0.  The post Stars, Nampol create a gap  appeared first on The Namibian.

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African Stars lose momentum at the top  Defending Debmarine Namibia Premiership champions African Stars’ new coach, Bob Mafaso, says he needs some time to bed-in following a weekend of mixed fortunes. Stars lost ground at the top of the standings after suffering a surprise 2-0 defeat to Unam on Saturday afternoon before atoning for that shock result with a 1-0 win over struggling Bucks Buccaneers the day after. The holders dropped to third and now trail Ongos by a point having started the weekend level on 26 points. Ongos picked up four points to move up to 30, following a goalless draw with Mighty Gunners at home on Sunday and a 3-1 victory over Okahandja United the day before. In an interview on Saturday after their loss at the Unam Stadium, African Stars head coach Bob Mafoso stated that his players gave their all, but Unam was more organised on the day. “I am still trying to get my feet on the ground with the new team, but we had a good game plan, and my players gave it their all,” Mafoso said. “I just hope that in our next game, they will not be in too much of a hurry and try to play our game, as today they were rushing. I am the only new guy here, so the players have an understanding of what is expected to win,” Mafoso noted. He acknowledged that he did not intend to start his African Stars journey with a defeat and hopes to turn things around and ensure the team retains their title. Khomas Nampol moved into second position on the table by virtue of having a better goal-difference after beating Cuca Tops 2-0 away at Rundu, where they also drew 2-2 against Julinho. Young African are fourth, following Sunday’s 1-0 win over Unam and a shock defeat by the same scoreline against Buccaneers on Saturday. It was Young African’s first league defeat of the season and indicative to the slip in form since relinquishing top spot on the standings which they led for the opening nine fixtures. The Gunners complete the top five, after picking up two points on the road. They also played to 1-1 stalemate against Tigers on Friday. In the drop zone, Young Brazilian in 14th spot improved their survival prospects with 1-0 triumph over bottom side Cuca Tops and 1-1 draw with Julinho. Like Tops, Blue Boys continued struggling as they lost both matches over the weekend. They were defeated 2-0 away to Eeshoke Chula Chula on Saturday and 1-0 by King Kauluma Palace the following day. The post African Stars lose momentum at the top  appeared first on The Namibian.

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