Egos destroy football

Insiders claim Namibia Football Association (NFA) secretary-general Barry Rukoro last week achieved his ultimate wish - the firing of the association's president Frans Mbidi for the alleged mismanagement of funds.

This follows tit-for-tat battles between the two top dogs of Namibian football, caused by personal egos, among other disagreements.

It was also resolved that the NFA would make its final decision on Rukoro's future at its congress, initially slated for December, but which will now take place in January next year.

'Vague'

However, deputy sports minister Agnes Tjongarero questioned Mbidi's dismissal, saying the reasons were just too “vague” for her liking.

“It is very difficult to comment or for the ministry to pronounce its position on this because everything at the moment is just unclear.

“One would, however, wonder why the NFA had to dismiss the president just a month before the congress, where his term was coming to an end.

“The other thing one can question is whether the NFA gave the president time to respond to the accusations or they just decided to fire him?

“It is also strange that you would fire someone that was elected into the position via email,” Tjongarero said. Prominent football commentator Isack Hamata has called for an overhaul of the entire NFA.

He slammed the NFA executive committee for taking sides and being reluctant when it comes to solving the battle between Mbidi and Rukoro.

“Namibian soccer is unfortunately in a state of chaos, and you, the NFA executive committee, by your silence, are directly responsible for the state that our soccer is in.

“To state that soccer is on autopilot is an understatement. Soccer is the latest comedy show that people are entertaining themselves with on a daily basis.

“The president and secretary-general of the NFA are engaged in an open war, which further undermines the brand of football.

“It is hurting those of us who look at football as a means to an end for our young people,” Hamata said.





'Intellectual levels' questioned

Hamata questioned the intellectual levels of the NFA executive members, whom he deemed helpless.

“Confidential information is being used to wage this ugly war. Have you wondered how your stakeholders are looking at you from a distance?

“Have you ever wondered what they might be thinking of you and how they are afraid to even send you an email, which they know will be out in the open for all to see? Have you considered how your silence is pushing our football deeper into a quagmire?”



Backstabbing

Former Namibia Premier League (NPL) chairman Johnny Doeseb emphasised that backstabbing that has crippled the game.

He felt that many of these squabbles come because people are trying to enrich themselves, and are not in the interest of football.

“When I was part of football administration, I learned a good lesson that those that you trust the most are those that will stab you in the back.

“The problem is that people are in there for personal gain and football has to suffer.

“I do not understand why people allow themselves to be part of a history, which has tarnished the game,” Doeseb said.

He hopes solutions can be found to fix Namibian football, in order to restore the lost pride of the beautiful game in the country.

Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) chief administrator Freddy Mwiya said they are seeking solutions to bring an end to this gory squabble.

He acknowledged it is a situation that needs to be handled with urgency.

“Yes, we do acknowledge that it is a delicate matter and we have therefore requested them to see the minutes of their final meeting to see what had transpired.

“As a commission we are willing to advise the leadership on the way forward, but only after we study the minutes of the last meeting properly.

“We are also studying the statutes and laws because we do believe that things are really not well at the association,” Mwiya said.

He noted that the commission will pronounce its stance on the problem during the course of the week.



Chaos erupts

The current chaos started in 2016 when Mbidi suspended Rukoro for alleged insubordination.

Rukoro, who has been in his post for over decade, has survived the chop on several occasions and was reinstated, given his strong influence over the NFA executive committee.

Mbidi on the other hand wanted to make his presence felt and fix things he believed were not being done correctly at the association, when he became president in 2014.

Many people, including Mbidi, feel that Rukoro has overstayed his welcome and that he should make space for someone else.

Rukoro, who knew he has a stronghold over the NFA executive, vowed to take Mbidi out before he relinquishes his position.

The SG felt that Mbidi wanted to breach the NFA constitution by standing for another term.

Rukoro further accused Mbidi of tarnishing his name and the name of the NFA in front of Fifa, Cosafa and CAF officials.

This year, attempts to oust Mbidi began after he attempted to remove Rukoro once again.

In February, Mbidi announced that the football association would not renew Rukoro's contract.

Mbidi cited article 38 (d) (3) of the NFA constitution, which reads: “Only the president may propose the appointment or dismissal of the secretary-general.”

This resulted in the majority of the NFA executive committee challenging Mbidi's decision.

The executive disputed his move by citing article (35) (i) of the NFA constitution, which says that “the executive committee shall appoint or dismiss the secretary-general”.

In April, the NFA emergency committee, consisting of the first and second vice-presidents, resolved to keep Rukoro in office despite his term having expired.

The SG had argued that leaving the NFA in the hands of Mbidi will not be in the best interests of local football.



JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA