BA, Tigers out of cup
Three clubs have been ousted from the NFA Debmarine Cup after failing to confirm their participation in the competition.
JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA
The dust between the NFA and NPL is far from settling after it was confirmed that three league clubs will not be playing in the NFA Debmarine Cup competition.
Black Africa, Tigers and Chief Santos were expected to feature in the weekend’s round of 32 cup matches.
However, the clubs did not appear on the latest confirmed fixtures list for the weekend.
The reason given by the NFA was that the clubs chose not to confirm their participation in the tournament.
It had been decided at an earlier NPL meeting that the clubs would snub the competition because they were not ready and wanted a postponement.
Namibian Sun is in possession of a letter issued by the NFA to the clubs.
“Kindly be informed that the amendments to the fixtures were necessitated by the decision of some clubs not to confirm their participation.
“The reason they have cited is that they will not participate in the Debmarine Cup due to the league being inactive and that no sponsorship agreement has been signed,” the letter reads.
Namibian Sun understands that the three clubs will face further consequences for snubbing the tournament.
The NFA confirmed last week that legal action would be taken against the clubs and the Premier League, including a temporary suspension which could be up to three years.
Tigers were due to play Eastern Chiefs on Sunday, while Black Africa were pitted against Bee Bob Brothers and Chief Santos had a date set with Try Again FC.
The three division clubs now automatically qualify for the round of 16.
Meetings between the NPL, NFA and Debmarine failed to iron out the issues.
More NPL clubs are expected to withdraw from the competition within the coming week.
It is rumoured that African Stars, Orlando Pirates and Citizens FC are planning to snub the competition.
Civics, Tura Magic, Young Chiefs and Eleven Arrows have confirmed their participation and will be in action this weekend.
Young Africans FC and Mighty Gunners have also indicated that they are willing to play despite the resolution taken by the NPL.
The clubs will play against division clubs next week, with fixtures still to be amended.
A player speaking on condition of anonymity expressed disappointed with the decision his club had taken.
“I really wanted to play in this competition, but now I feel as if my life is over because our team has decided not to be part of it.
“Many of my teammates are just as disappointed with what the club and the Namibia Premier League have decided.
“This will have deeper implications on our lives because some of us only depend on football,” he said.
NPL spokesperson Evaristus Evaristus neither confirmed nor denied that the clubs had been ousted because of the NPL decision.
“The NPL gave advice to the NFA that the date of the competition must be postponed.
“If the logistics and all that did not work out, I do believe the right people to talk to will be the NFA,” Evaristus said.
Seven matches will be played in the cup competition this weekend.
The dust between the NFA and NPL is far from settling after it was confirmed that three league clubs will not be playing in the NFA Debmarine Cup competition.
Black Africa, Tigers and Chief Santos were expected to feature in the weekend’s round of 32 cup matches.
However, the clubs did not appear on the latest confirmed fixtures list for the weekend.
The reason given by the NFA was that the clubs chose not to confirm their participation in the tournament.
It had been decided at an earlier NPL meeting that the clubs would snub the competition because they were not ready and wanted a postponement.
Namibian Sun is in possession of a letter issued by the NFA to the clubs.
“Kindly be informed that the amendments to the fixtures were necessitated by the decision of some clubs not to confirm their participation.
“The reason they have cited is that they will not participate in the Debmarine Cup due to the league being inactive and that no sponsorship agreement has been signed,” the letter reads.
Namibian Sun understands that the three clubs will face further consequences for snubbing the tournament.
The NFA confirmed last week that legal action would be taken against the clubs and the Premier League, including a temporary suspension which could be up to three years.
Tigers were due to play Eastern Chiefs on Sunday, while Black Africa were pitted against Bee Bob Brothers and Chief Santos had a date set with Try Again FC.
The three division clubs now automatically qualify for the round of 16.
Meetings between the NPL, NFA and Debmarine failed to iron out the issues.
More NPL clubs are expected to withdraw from the competition within the coming week.
It is rumoured that African Stars, Orlando Pirates and Citizens FC are planning to snub the competition.
Civics, Tura Magic, Young Chiefs and Eleven Arrows have confirmed their participation and will be in action this weekend.
Young Africans FC and Mighty Gunners have also indicated that they are willing to play despite the resolution taken by the NPL.
The clubs will play against division clubs next week, with fixtures still to be amended.
A player speaking on condition of anonymity expressed disappointed with the decision his club had taken.
“I really wanted to play in this competition, but now I feel as if my life is over because our team has decided not to be part of it.
“Many of my teammates are just as disappointed with what the club and the Namibia Premier League have decided.
“This will have deeper implications on our lives because some of us only depend on football,” he said.
NPL spokesperson Evaristus Evaristus neither confirmed nor denied that the clubs had been ousted because of the NPL decision.
“The NPL gave advice to the NFA that the date of the competition must be postponed.
“If the logistics and all that did not work out, I do believe the right people to talk to will be the NFA,” Evaristus said.
Seven matches will be played in the cup competition this weekend.
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