UNAM FC Seeks CAF Confederation Cup Slot After Deadline Extension
By TUW
The University of Namibia Football Club (UNAM FC) has officially emerged as champions of the 2026 NFA Cup, but the victory has sparked an administrative dispute over Namibia’s representative in the upcoming CAF Confederation Cup following a shift in eligibility timelines and earlier selection decisions by the Namibia Football Association (NFA).
Initially, the NFA had communicated that Eeshoke Chula-Chula FC would represent Namibia in the 2026/27 CAF Confederation Cup alongside African Stars FC, who secured qualification through winning the Namibia Premier Football League. The decision was based on CAF Club Licensing submission constraints, which at the time made it difficult for the NFA Cup winner to meet the required registration deadline.
However, the situation changed after Eeshoke Chula-Chula FC finished as league runners-up in the Namibia Premier Football League. With CAF initially setting a 30 June 2026 deadline for club licensing submissions—and the NFA Cup concluding only on 27 June 2026—the football authorities reasoned that there would be insufficient time for the cup winner to complete all administrative requirements. This led to the league runners-up being provisionally considered for the continental slot.
The dynamics shifted again when the Confederation of African Football (CAF) extended its Club Licensing deadline to 25 July 2026, effectively removing the time constraint that had influenced the NFA’s earlier decision.
Following their triumph in the domestic cup, UNAM FC has formally written to the NFA requesting reconsideration of the nomination. In a letter issued from the Office of the Pro-Vice Chancellor at the University of Namibia, the club argues that the original competition regulations clearly stipulated that the NFA Cup winner earns qualification to represent Namibia in the CAF Confederation Cup.
The club further emphasized that Article I.1 of the CAF Confederation Cup Regulations states that the competition is open to cup winners from affiliated member associations, reinforcing their claim to the continental slot based on sporting merit.
UNAM FC also highlighted that CAF’s extension now provides sufficient time for full compliance with licensing and registration requirements, stating their readiness to complete all necessary procedures within the revised deadline.
“The circumstances that initially influenced the nomination have materially changed,” the club’s correspondence notes, adding that the basis for selecting an alternative representative is no longer valid following CAF’s deadline adjustment.
The club is now formally requesting the NFA to urgently reconsider its earlier decision and ensure that Namibia’s representative is determined in line with CAF regulations, the national competition framework, and the principle of sporting merit.
UNAM FC has set a response deadline of 30 June 2026 at 17h00, seeking clarity on the process to confirm their participation in the 2026/27 CAF Confederation Cup.
The Namibia Football Association has yet to issue a public response regarding the latest development.
The matter now places renewed attention on Namibia’s continental football representation, with both regulatory interpretation and sporting fairness at the center of the ongoing discussion.
