Personal interests fuel NFA battle

Much has been reported about the strained relationship between Namibia Football Association boss Frans Mbidi and his subordinate in the form of secretary-general Barry Rukoro. The two officials have been embroiled in a standoff that could have serious consequences for Namibian football. This infighting among football bosses is nothing new. Historically the NFA has always been reduced to an organisation that has been wracked by infighting and allegations of corruption. There is clearly now a power struggle with the majority of the executive members backing Rukoro despite his suspension from Cosafa activities, following his alleged attack on the regional football association’s president Phillip Chiyangwa in South Africa recently. The power struggle between the two factions has polarised Namibian football to the extent that Mbidi is now facing a vote of no confidence, while Rukoro’s future also hangs in the balance. New Era newspaper reported yesterday that Mbidi has been accused of serious administrative and financial transgressions, which the NFA executive felt were damaging. The newspaper has promised to expose the shenanigans at the NFA sometime this week and this will make for interesting reading. The NFA president position is voluntarily, but comes with a number of sought-after privileges, including VIP seats at global football events such as the FIFA World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations. Excursions and positions in powerful committees within CAF and FIFA are also an added benefit. There is also enough reason to believe that the ongoing infighting and battle for the control and soul of the NFA has nothing to do with furthering the interests of Namibian football, but rather involves personal interests. The tit-for-tat suspensions that we are about to experience are really going to hurt our football and any logical person would question the motives behind the negative campaigning. The beautiful game is certainly bigger than anyone and until such time that the executive get their own house in order and put proper leaders in place, who truly have the game at heart, Namibian football will forever be trapped in victimhood.