from ALFRED SHILONGO in Windhoek, Namibia
Namibia Bureau
WINDHOEK, (CAJ News) – NAMIBIA is to build numerous stadia nationwide to boost football development and avoid the disgrace of its national teams playing home games outside the country.
This is the new government’s response after in 2022, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) ruled Namibia’s stadia did not meet standards required to host international matches.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, in office since March 2025, said the stadium rollout was part of the sixth National Development Plan, launched late July.
It is among other objectives prioritised for sports development.
The president was speaking in Windhoek at a fundraising gala dinner for the senior men’s football team, nicknamed the Brave Warriors.
She said five CAF Category 3 stadia are to be constructed in Erongo, Kavango East, Kharas, Khomas and Oshana regions.
CAF Category 2 stadia are to be constructed in all fourteen regions, while each of the 121 constituencies will have basic sport facilities.
“It is absolutely important that our national football team receives all the support they deserve,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
She said this was not solely because football is the biggest sport code in Namibia but participation in a football World Cup was the ultimate yardstick by which a country’s footballing skill was measured on the international stage.
“It is the pinnacle of achievement and it is where Namibia’s Brave Warriors belongs.”
Namibia is in contention to qualify for the next World Cup in 2026.
The Southern African side is second in Group H (with 12 points) behind leaders Tunisia (16) in a pool that also includes Liberia (10), Equatorial Guinea (7), Malawi (6) and Sao Tome and Principe (0).
– CAJ News