Mbidi wins Namibia Football Association presidency

Oshana Region Football League chairperson Frans Mbidi is the new Namibia Football Association (NFA) president. He was elected unopposed at the NFA’s 24th ordinary congress on Saturday after his opponent, Black Africa Football Club chairperson Ranga Haikali, walked out of the venue just before the election. The Independent Electoral Committee (IEC) chaired by Ambrosius Tierspoor and members Afrika Jantjies and Moses Ikanga then declared Mbidi as the new president, taking over from John Muinjo who has been leading the association since 2006. Tierspoor explained before the election took place that candidates and/or representatives must be present to vote for any of the posts. After a roll call was done by the IEC, it noted that Haikali and Sandro de Gouveia, who was contesting the position of first vice-president, were absent. Naftali Ngalangi, who was nominated for two positions - first and second vice-president - was asked to choose one position, and he chose first vice-president, for which he was elected unopposed. Ludwig Croocks Nunuheb was then elected as second vice-president. Julien Garises, who is currently the spokesperson of the national women’s team, the Brave Gladiators, withdrew from being elected for the executive committee, resulting in Alma Mupupa being declared the winner. The other member of the executive committee members are Roger Kambatuku, Jacob Haindongo, Oscar Mulonda, Shali Amakali, Stefanus Shimbike and Mpasi Haingura. They will be joined by the Namibia Premier League (NPL) chairperson while an additional two members with non-voting rights will also be selected. Speaking after his victory, Mbidi said the congress went well. “I am a democrat myself, and I have seen democracy during this congress. I don’t want to have regrets and grudges after this because those are the most useless things in life,” he told the electorate. Mbidi called on Namibians to assist him in running the football body in the country and making it prosperous. “The time is now for us to continue making changes to our football development and structures and we need to hold hands and work in harmony for the greater good of the game of football in Namibia. “We need each other and this is our game. Let us get past our egos and try to collectively transform our game. We can do this and have all the confidence in the new executive committee and can’t wait to start with serious business for our tenure at Football House.” Mbidi also declared the outgoing president John Muinjo as honorary president of the NFA. -Additional reporting by NFA.ORG.NA WINDHOEK- KAINO NGHITONGO (NAMPA)