NFA appellants weigh CAS options

Two of the Namibia Football Association (NFA) presidential race rejects, Mpasi Haingura and Patrick Kauta, are prepared to file an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) if internal remedies fail. This follows Fifa's directive to the normalisation committee (NC) that those who wish to appeal the decision can only do so through CAS. Kauta and Haingura were among the six candidates who failed the NC's credibility checks during the vetting process for the 10 nominated candidates for the NFA hot seat. Only former Black Africa chairman Ranga Haikali, former Namibia Premier League (NPL) executive Mabos Vries, former NPL chairman Johnny Doeseb and former //Karas chairman Izak Fredericks will contest for the NFA presidency at the NFA congress slated for 22 February. Speaking in an exclusive interview yesterday, Haingura said that they were aware of what Fifa recommended and are assessing their options.“I did read the article in Namibian Sun yesterday about Fifa's directive and we will plan to go to CAS if the NFA's appeal committee fails. “I understand that the appeal committee was set in place at the last NFA extraordinary congress and we therefore have to get to them first before considering CAS,” Haingura said. Haingura failed the credibility checks because he was part of the NFA executive which executed the unlawful removal of former NFA president Frans Mbidi.He claims that they had not removed Mbidi, because the decision was to be finalised at a congress in 2018, which never took place.“There is no way that the NC can use that against us because it was clear that only the congress would make the final decision on Mbidi's axing.“The president was however served with a suspension and that is why I am challenging the fact that the NC has opted not to shortlist us because of what they claim transpired in 2018,” Haingura said. Kauta was omitted because he was part of the suspended NPL during the time of the nominations. The committee also cites the NPL's chairman omission that he was also part of the NFA executive which removed Mbidi. Kauta however feels that both reasons used against him are unconstitutional given that the NC shortlisted Haikali, who was part of the NPL too. He also made no secret of his intentions to go to CAS if internal remedies fail. The duo only have 21 days to reach out to CAS from when they received the official communication from the NC. “This information about why we were not shortlisted only came to us yesterday (Tuesday) through the members who were nominated.“I believe we still have enough days to reach out to CAS if the NFA appeals committee fails to communicate with us,” Haingura added. Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

NFA appellants weigh CAS options

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Namibian Sun 2025-08-01

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NFA appellants weigh CAS options

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Namibian Sun 2025-08-01

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