Okahandja United cleans ...

Okahandja United players are fuming after they were allegedly fired from the club.

Sources revealed the team fired at least 16 players after they demanded winning bonuses for helping the team gain promotion to the Namibia Premier League (NPL) this year, when the side was still known as Okahandja Military School.

It is alleged that the players were promised winning bonuses for playing an integral part in the team being promoted from the first division.

The players were, however, shown the door after asking about their winning bonuses.

The team had about 26 players attached to it during their first division campaign, but only nine are allegedly still with the club.

“Many things are happening here, because the new coach Woody Jacobs is coming with his own players.

“The nine players that are still with the club even fear that they could face the axe at any time,” a source said.

Jacobs has allegedly brought in a Ghanaian, a Zimbabwean and other players that have been released by their NPL clubs, in a bid to beef up his squad.

The source further alleged that the club has refused to give the released stalwarts their player cards, so they can hunt for new clubs.

The registration period for clubs in the premier league will close at the end of this month.

“Most of these guys lost their jobs and sacrificed their time, just to help this team gain promotion.

“All some want is their player cards, in order to look for other teams before the registration period closes.

“These players have their families to feed and it is not fair that they have been dropped in such a manner,” the source added.

He also claimed the Okahandja Military School management are still very much involved in decision-making at the club. The only reason why the club ultimately gained promotion was through a deal that saw former Brave Warriors and Okahandja mayor Johannes 'Congo' Hindjou taking over the side.

This was because two Namibia Defence Force (NDF) clubs would not have been allowed to play in the NPL, with Mighty Gunners are already active in the league.

“It will be very difficult to break the ties of the club with the NDF and I am sure that they will receive funding one way or another from the NDF,” the source said.

Jacobs backed his decision to release some of the players, who he deemed unfit to represent the club at premier league level.

He did not confirm that 16 players were released, but said 13 of the players who helped the team gain promotion are still on the club's books.

Jacobs emphasised the importance of having a team capable of avoiding relegation.

“We do not fire players my friend, because everyone had a fair chance in the friendlies we have played since I took over.

“I gave the players who took the team to the premier league their chance during those friendlies and I chose those that I feel will be good for the team.

“In football, as a coach, I have to go with what I feel is good enough.

“I am sorry for those that felt they were fired, but I am just doing my job in order to have a strong team,” Jacobs added.

Hindjou's cellphone remained unanswered yesterday.

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa