NFA Leadership Sends Different Signals Over Namibia’s CAF Representative
By TUW
The uncertainty around Eeshoke Chula-Chula FC’s participation in the next CAF Confederation Cup continues to raise questions, with even the Namibia Football Association (NFA) appearing to send mixed signals on the matter.
Chula-Chula FC finished second in the Namibia Premier Football League this season and many football followers believed that position was enough to secure qualification for the CAF Confederation Cup. The understanding was based on the fact that Namibia did not have an active NFA Cup competition for most of the season, which usually determines the country’s representative in the Confederation Cup.
However, the situation changed after the NFA recently announced the return of the NFA Cup. That decision immediately created uncertainty because the winner of a domestic cup competition traditionally qualifies for the CAF Confederation Cup, while the league champions go to the CAF Champions League.
This has now left clubs, supporters and football officials debating who officially deserves the continental spot.
Some clubs, including Eeshoke Chula-Chula FC, reportedly questioned the legitimacy of the newly introduced NFA Cup, arguing that the competition was brought in too late during the season and should not affect qualification for CAF competitions.
During the official launch and media briefing of the NFA Cup on 7 May 2026, NFA Acting General Secretary Mabos Vries and NFA spokesperson Casius Moeti declined to give a direct answer regarding the continental qualification issue. They also avoided commenting on clubs that withdrew from the competition, saying the association would communicate through the proper channels.
Despite that earlier silence, NFA President Roberto Shimooshili has now publicly stated that Chula-Chula FC qualified for the CAF Confederation Cup by finishing second in the league.
Shimooshili made the remarks during a live interview on NBC Kati FM Radio with Shuumbwa.
The latest statement has added even more debate within local football circles. Questions are now being asked about what will happen if another club wins the NFA Cup and wants to participate in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Will the cup winner simply accept losing the continental place to the league runners-up? Or will the matter end up in a dispute over football regulations?
CAF regulations generally state that domestic league champions qualify for the CAF Champions League, while domestic cup winners qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup. In countries where there is no recognised domestic cup competition, associations can use league standings to determine representatives.
CAF rules also make it clear that member associations must submit clubs according to officially recognised competitions and sporting merit.
Another major question now being raised is what exactly the NFA has already communicated to CAF regarding Namibia’s Confederation Cup representative. If the association already informed CAF that Namibia had no domestic cup competition this season, then the Confederation Cup place could legally go to the league runners-up. However, if the NFA Cup is now officially active and recognised, questions will also arise about whether the cup winner should automatically claim that continental slot.
The big question now remains whether the NFA Cup will officially be recognised as the qualifying competition for the Confederation Cup this season, or whether Chula-Chula FC’s second-place league finish will stand as Namibia’s final CAF Confederation Cup ticket.
