Major shake-up ahead of NWSFD playoffs

The North West Stream First Division (NWSFD) promotional playoffs have been thrown into uncertainty following the disqualification of regional champions Namibian Correctional Service (NCS) 11 FC and Kunene NamPol FC ahead of the competition scheduled from 18 to 19 July.

The decision follows a ruling that both clubs contravened provisions of the Namibia Football Association (NFA) Constitution and a memorandum issued in October 2025.

The regulations prohibit an individual, organisation, holding company or subsidiary from owning or controlling more than one club competing in the same competition, as this could compromise the integrity of the league and its matches.

A member close to the Correctional 11 FC camp expressed dismay over the decision.

"This is getting out of hand because players are losing the opportunity to play and advance to the next stage simply because of our status.

"It has become very stressful, and I do not even know why they allow us to compete in the first place.

"The football association must revisit these decisions and rules because they are depriving us of the right to compete in Namibia's top leagues," he said.

Not unprecedented

The decision by the football body is not unprecedented. In the past, the senior correctional services team suffered the same fate after earning promotion to the premier league.

The team was not permitted to compete because a NamPol side was already participating in the league.

The correctional service team later acquired the status of Young African FC, but that arrangement collapsed midway through the previous season.

A few years ago, Okahandja Military FC also suffered a similar fate after it was ruled ineligible to compete in the league due to the presence of Mighty Gunners FC.

The NFA has consistently stressed the need to avoid such situations, but the issue continues to hamper football development.

Correctional 11 FC, champions of the Otjozondjupa Region, and Kunene NamPol FC, champions of the Kunene Region, are both owned by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security.

Their shared ownership was found to be in breach of NFA regulations, resulting in their exclusion from the promotional playoffs.

Promotional tournament

The ruling has opened the door for other clubs to take their places. In the Otjozondjupa Region, Spoilers FC and Okakarara VTC FC are now set to contest the remaining regional playoff position, with the winner expected to qualify for the promotional tournament. Meanwhile, Okarindi Komutati FC has officially been approved to replace Kunene NamPol FC as the Kunene Region representative.

This year's promotional playoffs feature two available promotion places to the North West Stream First Division. One of those places has effectively already been filled by Life Fighters FC, who were relegated from the Namibia Premier League and will compete in the division next season.

The projected playoff line-up now consists of Okamwandi United FC, champions of the Oshana Region; Okarindi Komutati FC from the Kunene Region; either Spoilers FC or Okakarara VTC FC from the Otjozondjupa Region; and one of Young Brave FC, Oshikuku Young Star FC or Future FC from the Omusati Region.

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