Egos and abuse

Some analysts have leapt to the defence of the Fifa normalisation committee (NC), while others feel that its tenure has been plagued by unfair decisions.

Namibia Football Players Union (Nafpu) secretary-general Olsen Kahiriri claimed the committee has failed football.

Kahiriri accused the committee of not being honest with the players, fans and clubs.

“In my analysis, Fifa and those who were at the forefront to have the normalisation committee were not honest with Namibian football players, fans and club owners.

“Even a three-year-old could pick up that the task of the NC to prepare for the NFA congress in six months was unrealistic,” Kahiriri said.

“They are given powers which can't be challenged, making their decisions questionable and sparking a lot of fights.

“No one is speaking of the NFA congress as yet, making the NC stay permanent. They never improved on anything, as most of what we see in football was there before.”

After its appointment in February this year, the normalisation committee's mandate was initially set to end on 31 May, before Fifa gave the green light to an extension.

The committee is tasked to ensure that the members of the NFA, whose executive committees are out of mandate, organise and conduct the relevant elections.

The committee is comprised of chairperson Hilda Basson-Namundjebo, deputy chair Franco Cosmos, Gaby Ahrens, Matti Mwandingi and Vivienne Katjiuongua.

The NPL was suspended last Wednesday for persistently disregarding Fifa directives.

This happened after the NPL requested the NC to send them league promotion/relegation rules for the new season. The NC refused to entertain the NPL's request and slapped them with a suspension.

The suspension ensued after a lengthy standoff between the NPL and the NC.

The league management wanted to go ahead and start the new season with only 13 clubs, despite the NC's disapproval.

The NPL has relegated Orlando Pirates and Civics, while Young Africans' demotion came after they fielded a foreign player registered under a fake name.

A club owner, who preferred anonymity, spoke highly of the normalisation committee's leadership strategy.

“To be honest, let me say the normalisation committee was put there by Fifa to normalise football in the country.

“In terms of the regions, they are doing a great job, as some of these regions had people that had expired terms of office, with no constitutions,” he said.

He added that the committee was right to suspend the NPL.

“People are asking or complaining about the NC interfering with the NPL.

“Have they thought of why the NPL constitution is like that? And who wanted the constitution to read like that?

“The previous NFA leadership under their former secretary-general wanted to have control of the football regions and that is why there are big divisions among the NPL clubs, because the former SG wanted it that way, so he can have control when it comes to elections.”

Kahiriri, on the other hand, believes the normalisation committee is driving an agenda.

“The Ghana Football Association, who are on a pilot and also have a normalisation committee since August 2018, last week released a list of successful candidates following a vetting process for their congress. The committee's mandate was not supposed to surpass March 2019, but they are still in power, to date.”

Kahiriri said in the Namibian context, the Fifa normalisation committee's failure to kick off the first division streams is perceived to have given birth to the ongoing battles between itself and the NPL. This resulted in no promotions being possible for the new season.

He blames the ongoing fights on egos and abuse of power, which has taken centre stage, instead of amicable solutions.

“To my understanding we are in for a long ride with the NC, as it seems their seats are getting comfortable and their decisions lack the audi alteram partem rule, while the committee is blessed with three lawyers.

“Football administrators must stop their fights and focus on the real mission of getting on with the game, without boardroom fights,” Kahiriri added.

Football fan Gideon Amuthenu, who has been following the NC/Namibia Premier League (NPL) saga, including the recent suspension of the league, lauded the committee for what it has been doing since its appointment.

Amuthenu expressed confidence that the committee will restore the pride of Namibian football.

“I am one of those people who has watched the work of the committee and I am happy for what they have been doing so far.

“The problem with people is that they hate to see change and that is why the NPL officials are being stubborn.

“We have to give credit where it's due and I just feel like the committee is here to bring positive change in football,” Amuthenu said.

However, some regions have accused the committee of favouritism and the abuse of power when holding regional elections.

Football fan Charles Narib shared the same views as Kahiriri.

Narib blames the committee for creating chaos, while their mandate was to solve football matters.

“Sometimes we just have to be honest with each other and call people to order, because I think the committee is taking this leadership thing too far.

“It is no longer a secret that the committee got too comfortable and want to cling on to power.

“They must hurry up and fix the mess in Namibian football,” Narib added.

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa