Bucks Buccaneers kick off preseason training Erasmus Shalihaxwe Namibia Premier League side Bucks Buccaneers Football Club will begin their preseason training camp on Monday ahead of the 2025/2026 season. The Katutura-based club confirmed that training will be held at two venues.  Monday’s session is scheduled for 18h00 at Sam Nujoma Stadium, followed by a Tuesday session at Windhoek Technical High School at 17h00. The schedule returns to Sam Nujoma Stadium on Wednesday at 18h00, with Thursday’s session again at Windhoek Technical High School at 17h00. “All Bucks Buccaneers players are urged to attend all training sessions with full commitment and dedication. Your participation is crucial as we gear up for an exciting and competitive season. Let’s come together, work hard, and make this season a memorable one,” said club chairman Michael Pinnaar. The club also announced that Ronnie Kanalelo’s contract as head coach has been extended by two years.  Kanalelo joined the Buccaneers midway through last season, from the African Stars. “The Bucks Buccaneers are pleased to announce the extension of head coach Ronnie Kanalelo’s contract for an additional two years. Since taking over the reins midway through last season, Kanalelo has demonstrated exceptional leadership and strategic insight, steering the team away from relegation danger and guiding them to a respectable 10th-place finish,” the club said. At the time of his appointment, the Buccaneers were in 14th place with only two wins, six losses, and seven draws from 15 matches. Under Kanalelo’s guidance, the team finished 10th, avoiding relegation and securing their place in the Premier League..

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Rundu chiefs unveils new management Erasmus Shalihaxwe Rundu Chiefs Football Club has appointed a new management and technical team following its promotion to the Namibia Premier League for the 2025/26 season. Club chairman Agrippa Haindondo said the new contracts will take effect on 1 September, when preparations for the upcoming top-flight season begin.  The appointments follow the club’s registration as a close corporation and an internal restructuring process. “These strategic hires underscore the club’s commitment to professional excellence and sustainable growth as it prepares to compete in the Namibia Premier League, following its recent registration as a Close Corporation and a comprehensive internal restructuring. This significant expansion of the club’s leadership and support staff reflects Rundu Chiefs FC’s dedication to operating on sound business principles while enhancing its on-field performance,” Haindondo said. He said the newly appointed team brings experience that will help the club meet he demands of the Premier League. He described the promotion as a major milestone for both the club and the Rundu community. “These comprehensive appointments are a direct result of our restructuring efforts, bringing in dedicated professionals who will drive our vision forward. We are confident that this talented team will elevate our performance, both on the pitch at the Rundu Sports Field and in our entire operations at large. Rundu Chiefs Football Club extends a warm welcome to all new appointees and looks forward to a successful and impactful season in the Namibia Premier League,” he added. The club’s new appointments include Rusten Director as assistant technical director, Tomas Matias as head coach, and Galil Palvin as assistant coach.  Kafimbi Daniel will serve as assistant goalkeeper coach, with Hairwa Olavi as team medic and Christophine Shiwedha as assistant team medic. Nghitolwa Gerson Sinimbo will take up the role of logistics coordinator, while Sinana Hamutima becomes assistant marketing coordinator.  Patrick Mongwa was appointed  fitness trainer, Shaningwa “Kenya” Joel as club administrator, and Alex Kudumo and Diaz Kamwanga as team managers.

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Ngarizemo backs premier league breakaway from NFA Erasmus Shalihaxwe Young African Football Club chairman Maleagi Ngarizemo has backed calls for the Namibia Premier League (NPL) to become independent from the Namibia Football Association (NFA). Speaking this week, Ngarizemo said the league has reached a critical point and must embrace independence to drive growth and secure long-term sponsorships. “By transitioning to an independent structure, the NPL can enhance self-sustainability, attract greater sponsorship, and elevate the competitiveness of Namibian football on the continental and global stage,” he said. He pointed to global examples, including the English Premier League and South Africa’s Betway Premiership, as proof that self-governance works.  These leagues, he said, manage their own commercial rights, negotiate broadcast deals, and roll out development programmes.  As a result, they bring in more money, improve infrastructure, and strengthen clubs. He said Namibia must follow this model, as dependence on external governance weakens the league’s ability to innovate and raise funds. “Independence would empower the Premier League to attract major sponsorships, an independent league can directly engage corporate partners, offering tailored sponsorship opportunities that benefit both brands and clubs. This financial boost would improve player salaries, stadium facilities, and marketing reach,” he said. He explained that independence would allow clubs to build their brands and secure their sponsors.  This, he said, would create new revenue streams from merchandise, ticket sales, and broadcast rights, and reduce reliance on unstable funding. With more money, Ngarizemo said, clubs could invest in coaching, scouting, and youth development, raising the level of competition and boosting Namibia’s performance in African tournaments. He added that an independent league could also enhance the fan experience. “Independent leagues can implement modern fan engagement strategies, digital platforms, and high-quality broadcasts, making the Premier League more attractive to viewers and investors.” Calling on stakeholders to act, Ngarizemo said the success of football in countries like South Africa, Morocco, and Zambia shows what Namibia could achieve. “Stakeholders, including NFA, Sport Commission, Clubs, Sponsors, and Government, must support the Premier League’s transition to independence immediately,” he said. “We must take control of our football destiny as club owners; an independent Namibia Premier League will create opportunities for clubs to grow, attract investment, and ensure long-term sustainability. The time for change is now, and clubs must note that they are the custodians and shareholders of the league and not those running the NFA, so this decision lies fully with us.” He urged NPL clubs and football leaders to work together to create a governance and funding model based on transparency and accountability.

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Ovadeuli veeshipaana dokatanga kokeemhadi ve likufila oilwifo Eenamanana da piyaana kOkahandja Oshoondaxa odo da eta Ronnie Kanalelo naPaulus Shipanga va kufe oilwifo opo va potokonone eenamanana davo oda eta omalimbililo kombinga yeameno peenhele domaudano. Ovadeuli aveshe inave likala nande oshinima eshi, ova itavela kutya okwa li va eta oilwifo koudanao woNamibia Premier Football League oo wa li pokati koBucks Buccaneers noBlue Waters kokapale kaNau-Aib. Shipanga , oo ha deula oBlue Waters, okwa li e na ombele omanga omukwateli komesho woBucks Kanalelo kwa li e na ombistoli. Ovalumenhu aveshe ova ti eenamanana kombinga yokushikilwa mokapale konima youdano odo da eta oshinima eshi meepaakinga. Shipanga okwa kufa ombele mohauto yaye, yee Kanalelo ta kufa ondjebo yaye motuwa, omanga kwa li inava kufwa kumwe kovatali. Shipanga okwa ti Kanalelo okwa kala noku mu shinda omanga kwa li ta popi nomumabelewa woudano “te mu ula kutya omudeuli a nghundipala nomukanifi womaudano wakeshe efimbo”. “Okukanifa oudano hako oupyakadi. Ongee omunhu a tameke okupopya oukwatya woye oto mono kutya oove a hala. Sho osho nda tila ngee oshopaumwene natu ungaunge nasho ngaashi ovalumenhu. Inandi mu tila,” Shipanga osho a ti ngaho. “Okwa landula nge kohauto yange. Onda kufa ombele yange eshi ta ende a yuka kwaame. Okwa lotokela nee kohauto yaye ndee taku fa ondjebo.” Ta kolele oshiningwanima, Kanalelo okwa ti eenamanana dopakanya inadi pa Shipanga oufemba wokuninga oshinima sha tya ngaho, shaashi okwa li ashike sha ningwa momashendjo nopamukalo womafiyafanepo wetanga lokeemhadi. Okwa ti, Shipanga “oha handuka diva” yee iha tambula ko ngee ine shi endifa nawa. “Eeno, oshoshili. Onde mu ula kutya okwa nghudipala, ame ngeno onda longa oilonga i lixwepo ndi mu dule ngeno okwa li ndi na oshiipaana oyo e na,” Kanalelo osho a ti ngaho. “Onda kufa ashike ondjebo yange konima a kufa mo ombele eshi kwa li nde ke mu minika ndi mu pe ombili.” Ovadeuli aveshe ove shiivikile omikalo diwa, ashike, okweeta oilwifo koudano nokwiilongifa inaku tambulwa ko, omupopiliko woNamibia Football Association (NFA) Isack Hamata osho a ti ngaho. Okwa ti oshiningwanima okwa li sha puka nokashi li pamwe nomhepo youdano ile omaliumbato a pumbiwa mokatanga kokeemhadi ka longekidwa. Hamata okwa ti ovanambelewa veameno peenhele domaudano ova tulwa po opo va kwashilipaleke kutya keshe omunhu tai mokapale okwa handwa nawa. “Osho sha ningwa kOkahandja osha holola kutya eameno ola pitwa pomunghulo,” Hamata osho a ti ngaho, okwa weda po yoo vali kutya NFA ota kufa onghatu ya fimana konima a mana nomakonakona olopota yoshiningwanima. “Okwa li sha puka eshi ovalumenhu ava kwa li va pitikwa va ye monhele omo noilwifo. Osha puka yoo vali eshi va eta oilwifo mokapale. “Keshe umwe na dane onghandangala. Oto lineekele kutya eeshipana oda kwashilipaleka kutya meebesha dado ile moyeendifo yavo yopaumwene kamu na nande oinima oyo tai dulu okulongifwa okweehameka vakwao. “Okapale naka kale onhele yaamenwa yovadanauki, ovanambelewa novayambididi,” Hamata osho a ti ngaho. The post Ovadeuli veeshipaana dokatanga kokeemhadi ve likufila oilwifo appeared first on The Namibian.

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Coaches pull gun, knife in football dispute A heated altercation at Okahandja on Sunday which saw coaches Ronnie Kanalelo and Paulus Shipanga reaching for weapons to resolve their dispute has raised questions around safety at sport venues. Both coaches admitted to bringing weapons to the Namibia Premier Football League match between Bucks Buccaneers and Blue Waters at Nau-Aib Stadium. Shipanga, who coaches Blue Waters, had a knife and Bucks mentor Kanalelo had a pistol. Both men say a post-match squabble around the refereeing of the contest on the field sparked the stand-off, which escalated to a full-on confrontation in the parking lot. Shipanga pulled a knife from his vehicle, with Kanalelo reaching for his gun from his car, before the pair were dissuaded by onlookers. Shipanga claims Kanalelo repeatedly provoked him while the former was talking to the match official by calling him “a weak coach and sore loser”. “Losing is not the issue. It is when someone comes for your character that you see it’s personal. That’s why I said if it’s personal then let us settle it like men. I’m not afraid of him,” Shipanga says. “He followed me to my car. I took out my knife when he walked towards me. He then ran to his car and took out a gun.” Confirming the incident, Kanalelo says the verbal volley did not warrant such a strong reaction from Shipanga, as it was done in jest and within the confines of competitive football spirit. He says Shipanga is “a volatile character” who cannot accept when events do not play out in his favour. “Yes, it’s true. I called him weak and that I would have done a better job than him if I have the squad he is in charge of,” says Kanalelo of his role in the fracas. “I only took out my gun after he pulled out a knife when I went to shake his hand to extend an apology.” Both coaches are known to be fiery personalities, however, bringing weapons to a match and then making use of them to settle their differences is unacceptable, says Namibia Football Association (NFA) spokesperson Isack Hamata. He says the incident was regrettable and not in keeping with the spirt of fair play or the code of conduct of organised football. Hamata says security officers at match venues are tasked with ensuring that everyone who enters the stadium is thoroughly searched. “What happened at Okahandja points to a security breach,” says Hamata, who added that the NFA will take appropriate action once they have received and studied the incident report. “It is unfortunate that these gentlemen were allowed to enter the premises with weapons. It is also unfortunate that they brought weapons into the stadium. “Everyone should play their roles. You would trust that teams ensure their buses or personal vehicles do not contain objects that may be used to cause harm to others. “A stadium should be a safe space for players, officials and supporters,” Hamata adds. HIGH TENSIONS Tensions are running high as the football season nears its conclusion. Both teams have had poor campaigns and are battling to steer clear of relegation. Both coaches says their actions cast Namibian football in a bad light, doing little to improve the game’s poor image caused by perennial administration shortcomings. “I made a big mistake, I should not have reacted in the manner that I did; I should have walked away,” Shipanga says. “I apologised to my players. I also extend an apology from the bottom of my heart to the football lovers and the nation for my actions. I let them down and I also let myself down.” Kanalelo says he was amenable to finding common ground with his “younger brother” and also lamented his actions. “I should never have gone to get my gun. Our differences should never have entered that space. I accept that I reacted and behaved wrongly.” Blue Waters, Shipanga’s employer, says: “We’ve been made aware of an altercation involving one of our coaching staff members after our recent match at Okahandja. The matter will be probed internally, which will subsequently determine the appropriate course of action.” The post Coaches pull gun, knife in football dispute appeared first on The Namibian.

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