Serious Questions Raised After !Ugab FC’s NFA Cup Disqualification Over Player Registration Issue
By TUWSerious questions have emerged following the disqualification of !Ugab FC from the NFA Cup, with the decision now sparking a wider dispute over player registration procedures in the Kunene and Erongo regions.
The club’s removal from the competition came shortly after !Ugab FC had won the Erongo Second Division NFA Cup and secured qualification for the Round of 32. However, their progress was halted amid concerns linked to the registration of player Jackey Jacques Benedictus Classen.
The controversy intensified after a player card allegedly linked to Uranium Express surfaced, dated 30 April 2026, showing a handwritten player ID that does not match official records. This raised doubts about the authenticity of the documentation and the validity of the alleged transfer.
According to PhatomConnexion Media report, Classen has denied any involvement in signing for Uranium Express, stating that he never completed registration forms for the club and only participated in informal matches. He further claims he refused to submit identification documents and alleges that his personal details may have been used without authorization.
!Ugab FC, however, maintains that the player was properly registered through the official E-Connect system under the supervision of Regional Coordinator Ruben Nangombe. The club insists all documentation was correctly processed, and that it received valid player cards covering the 2026 registration period, with no record of any additional transfer.
The club also clarified that during the 2024/25 playoffs, there was only an informal loan arrangement involving the player, for which a small fee was received to cover travel expenses. They stressed that no formal transfer agreement was ever signed between the two clubs.
According to PhatomConnexion Media, following the disqualification, !Ugab FC says the decision has negatively affected the team’s reputation and player morale. The club is now calling on the Namibia Football Association (NFA) to launch an independent investigation into the matter, particularly focusing on the management and transparency of the E-Connect registration system.
As the situation develops, the case has drawn attention across Namibian football, with growing calls for clarity on player registration procedures and stricter oversight in regional competitions.
