Haikali booted out

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa WINDHOEKThe Namibia Football Association’s (NFA) ordinary congress yesterday resolved to dismantle its executive, including president Ranga Haikali’s position.At a congress attended by delegates from the regions and NFA members, only two not represented.The Omaheke Region’s executive committee’s term of office came to an end on 27 November, while Kavango West was not in attendance.Members voted for the dismissal of the NFA executive committee, with 22 votes in favour of dismissal and one vote against it. “Secretary-general Franco Cosmos will be in charge of proceedings until the association conducts an election for a new president and executive members,” former vice present Isak Fredericks said yesterday.Meanwhile, former president Haikali refused to comment on his dismissal.“I only saw on social media but I will not be able to comment on that at the moment,” he said.Defying directivesThe NFA’s decision goes against a Confederation of African Football (CAF) and Fifa directive which suggested a road map aimed at paving the way forward for the association will be provided when a new executive is appointed.Just last month, CAF promised to provide the NFA with a road map by December.This was after the working visit of the continental federation's secretary-general Veron Mosengo-Omba last week to assess the situation.“Fifa strongly recommend a road map of measures to restore and resuscitate football in the country.“In this respect, before a road map for resolving the current situation is released, the planned forthcoming NFA extraordinary congress should therefore be put on a hold,” a letter from Mosengo-Omba read.CracksThe Progressive Forces formed last year ensured that Haikali landed the biggest job in Namibian football. In fact, on 14 February 2020, he claimed he was part of a group consisting of most of the 22 delegates who showed up at the congress.Haikali and Progressive Forces-backed Cosmos, however, did not see eye to eye, which led to those in control suspending the president.Cracks started appearing within the group over the manner in which the country’s football affairs were being managed.The exco was divided into two camps - the first consisting of Fredericks (//Karas), Netty Cloete (//Karas), Peter Ndjulu (Khomas), Iggy Hainghumbi (Ohangwena), Shali Amakali (Oshikoto) and Robert Shimooshili (Namibia Premier Football League representative with no voting rights), whileEarnest Joy (Kavango West), Kenneth Goaseb (Southern Stream First Division chairman), Tino Haingura (Kavango East) Ferdinand Hausiku (Kavango West) and Haikali were in the other camp. “Football will start now because the NFA majority made the call and that is what was needed.“It was bound to happen and now a new dawn of leadership that has football at heart will take over,” a member of the Progressive Forces said.

Haikali booted out

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-05-09

Please login to leave a comment

Haikali booted out

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-05-09

Please login to leave a comment

Login