Double-headers to remain – Hamata 

Teams in the Debmarine Namibia Premiership will continue to play twice per weekend for the upcoming football season, the Namibia Football Association (NFA) says.

The 2024/25 football season will kick off on 29 November. 

Speaking to Desert Radio about the start of the new campaign this week, NFA spokesperson Isack Hamata said last season’s conditions remain to align with available resources.

The NFA will receive N$18 million to run the top flight from the competition’s headline sponsor, Debmarine Namibia, concluding their three-year agreement.

“Double headers will remain, because the sponsorship amount is the same,” Hamata said.

“The desire is to have single headers. There was a time in the life of the now-defunct Namibia Premier league (NPL) when there were single headers, and it really worked out well with fewer injuries, more rest for players, and quality football,” he said.

“We will have to make do with what we currently have. We just have to manage the way we schedule our double headers if we squeeze in a number of games, say on Wednesdays and Fridays, then rest for a day or two before their next encounters,” said Hamata.

He conceded that the cramped format impacts the quality of football as players find it hard to be at their best for consecutive matches played in close proximity.

“That can only be done once players are focused and their minds are sharp, rested and fit,” Hamata said.

“If you have double headers like we have always seen, depending on who you will play, players will hold back and maybe only go full force for the Sunday or the Saturday match.

“It might also be that they don’t hold back in the Sunday encounter – they are just tired or injured, and that really does not help,” the NFA spokesperson said.

While the return to single headers is shelved for another season, match venue inspection is ongoing, he said.

“There has to be another inspection, because this is the grass we are talking about. We need to see whether it can either be improved or rehabilitated,” Hamata said.

“A decision will be made, and if your facility is not fit, we move you to the nearest town. It is not a desirable state of affairs to be in, but there is quality and standards you need to maintain in terms of the facility,” he said.

“The sorriest state of affairs in our country is that there is not a single premier league football club that owns a sport facility, and we are dependent on local and regional authorities and private owners.”