Namibia Minute.
Thursday, 23 July 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Thursday, 23 July 2026
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Namibian press · Organization

Confederation of African Football

Also known as: CAF

Continental African football governing body that sets competition rules, awards official honors, and accredits stadium standards for member nations.

2024-01-262026-07-23

What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

  1. July 2026
  2. The Namibian

    Confederation of African Football invited Namibia to join regional bid to co-host 2028 Afcon

    Source

    This comes after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) invited Namibia to join a regional bid to co-host the 2028 Afcon.

    NFA’s Afcon dream hinges on government backing
  3. The Namibian

    Confederation of African Football invited Namibia to join regional bid to co-host 2028 Afcon

    Source

    This comes after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) invited Namibia to join a regional bid to co-host the 2028 Afcon.

    NFA’s Afcon dream hinges on Govt backing
  4. The Namibian

    Confederation of African Football issued CAF A Licence to Ronny Kanalelo

    Source

    The Confederation of African Football (CAF) A Licence coach officially parted ways with the club on Wednesday, with immediate effect.

    Kanalelo proud of progress despite FC Ongos departure
  5. The Namibian

    Confederation of African Football decided to extend club licensing deadline from 30 June to 25 July

    Source

    The development follows the Confederation of African Football's (CAF) decision to extend the club licensing deadline from 30 June to 25 July, a move that potentially gives Unam FC enough time to complete the required licensing process after winning the NFA Cup.

    CAF to decide Unam’s Confederation Cup fate
  6. New Era

    Confederation of African Football is actively working to elevate women's football to the same level

    Source

    He noted that men's football has a longer history and generally attracts higher attendance, while international bodies such as FIFA and CAF are actively working to elevate women's football to the same level.

    NFA president clarifies prize money gap between men and women football
  7. June 2026
  8. New Era

    CAF selected 53 match officials for preparatory course from 25-30 June

    Source

    The duo is in Cairo, Egypt, where they have joined 51 other match officials from across the continent for the intensive training programme scheduled to run from 25 to 30 June.

    Shangula, Twanyanyukwa eye WAFCONS selection
  9. The Namibian

    Confederation of African Football named Omar Artan men's referee of the year in 2025

    Source

    Artan, who in 2025 was named men's referee of the year by the Confederation of African Football, would have been the first Somali to referee at a World Cup.

    White House World Cup chief defends visa ban for Somali referee, Iranians
  10. The Namibian

    Confederation of African Football (CAF) named Omar Artan men's referee of the year in 2025

    Source

    Artan, who in 2025 was named men's referee of the year by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), was barred from entering the US on Saturday after arriving at Miami International Airport.

    Somalia backs referee after he is denied entry to US
  11. Informanté

    Confederation of African Football (CAF) produced qualifiers with nine direct qualifiers and one play-off berth for 2026 World Cup

    Source

    The Confederation of African Football (CAF) qualifiers produced a diverse field featuring continental heavyweights Egypt, Morocco, Senegal, Algeria, Tunisia, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire and South Africa, alongside debutants Cape Verde and returning Congo DR.

    African nations secure places at expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup
  12. May 2026
  13. The Namibian

    The Confederation of African Football controversially crowned Morocco champions after Senegal penalty incident

    Source

    Morocco were later controversially crowned champions by the Confederation of African Football, but the repercussions of defeat were still felt.

    Brazil’s World Cup challenge faces Morocco test in Group C
Sport

Governance reforms key to transforming Namibian sport sector

The News

Experts at a Namibia Institute of Corporate Governance forum argued that stronger leadership, transparency and accountability—rather than funding alone—are essential to fixing Namibian sport. Governance challenges facing the country's sport federations include failure to submit audited financial statements and complex accountability to multiple stakeholders.

13 hours ago · The Namibian

Today

  1. Governance reforms key to transforming Namibian sport sector

    Experts at a Namibia Institute of Corporate Governance forum argued that stronger leadership, transparency and accountability—rather than funding alone—are essential to fixing Namibian sport. Governance challenges facing the country's sport federations include failure to submit audited financial statements and complex accountability to multiple stakeholders.

    13 hours ago · The Namibian

Yesterday

  1. CAF chief Motsepe defends FIFA president Infantino

    African football boss Patrice Motsepe defended FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Wednesday, praising his commitment to football and support for Africa, despite growing criticism over Infantino's handling of issues including a suspension decision and tournament format changes.

    22 July 2026 · The Namibian

Wednesday 15 July

  1. NFA needs government backing for 2028 Afcon co-hosting bid

    Namibia's Football Association is seeking formal government commitment to pursue a regional bid to co-host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations alongside South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. The NFA says its main infrastructure challenge is ensuring a CAF-compliant stadium is ready by 2028.

    15 July 2026 · The Namibian

Tuesday 14 July

  1. NFA's 2028 Afcon co-hosting bid needs government backing

    The Namibian Football Association's hopes of co-hosting the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations with South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe depend on government formal commitment and ensuring stadiums are ready by 2028. The NFA secretary general said Namibia meets several CAF infrastructure requirements but its main challenge is having a CAF-compliant stadium available.

    14 July 2026 · The Namibian

Saturday 11 July

  1. South African footballer Jayden Adams dies at 25

    South African midfielder Jayden Adams, who played in all three of South Africa's group-stage matches at the ongoing World Cup, died Saturday at age 25. Police opened an investigation after his body was found at a house in Cape Town; the cause of death was not disclosed.

    11 July 2026 · The Namibian

Thursday 9 July

  1. FC Ongos coach Kanalelo departs after fourth-place finish

    Former FC Ongos head coach Ronny Kanalelo, appointed in November 2025, has stepped down from the role after guiding the club to a fourth-place finish in the 2025/26 Namibia Premier Football League season. Kanalelo said he leaves proud of the progress made, though financial constraints limited the team's ability to strengthen the squad as intended.

    9 July 2026 · The Namibian

Wednesday 8 July

  1. NFA awaits CAF decision on Unam's Confederation Cup place

    The Namibia Football Association has received Unam FC's request to compete in the 2026 CAF Confederation Cup after winning the NFA Cup, and is awaiting CAF's guidance. CAF's extension of the club licensing deadline from 30 June to 25 July potentially allows Unam enough time to complete the required licensing process.

    8 July 2026 · The Namibian

  2. NFA honours football legend Oscar 'Silver Fox' Mengo

    Namibia Football Association honoured legend Oscar Mengo for his contribution to Namibian football. Mengo, a former star player for African Stars FC and founder of Liverpool FC, told The Namibian that Namibian football is moving in the right direction but needs better player salaries and sponsorship to develop talent for continental and global recognition.

    8 July 2026 · The Namibian

Friday 3 July

  1. NFA defends gender prize money gap in football competitions

    NFA president Robert Shimooshili attributed the disparity in prize money between men's and women's football to differences in development, history, and attendance levels, noting that international bodies like FIFA and CAF are working to elevate women's football. Men's winners received N$400,000 in the recent NFA Cup, while women's winners received N$100,000.

    3 July 2026 · New Era

Thursday 2 July

  1. Stadium consultant fee far exceeds government budget

    A consultant hired to advise on renovating Windhoek's Independence Stadium is set to earn about N$337 million – more than three times the government's budgeted amount – through a 17.5% fee on the estimated N$2 billion project cost, which industry experts say is unusually high.

    2 July 2026 · The Namibian

Monday 29 June

  1. African nations reach record nine teams in 2026 World Cup knockout stage

    For the first time in World Cup history, a record nine African countries have progressed beyond the group stage, marking a significant advancement for the continent in the tournament. Previously, only one African nation at a time had managed to qualify for the knockout stage.

    29 June 2026 · The Namibian

Thursday 25 June

  1. Namibian referees selected for WAFCON 2026 preparatory course

    Namibian football referees Vistorina Shangula and Antsino Twanyanyukwa have been selected for CAF's preparatory course ahead of the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations, joining 51 other match officials from across the continent for training in Cairo. The duo are the only two Namibian referees among the 53 officials selected, underscoring growing recognition of Namibia's refereeing standards on the African stage.

    25 June 2026 · New Era

Thursday 11 June

  1. South Africa faces Mexico in FIFA World Cup 2026 opener

    South Africa played Mexico in the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on co-host Mexico's home soil in Mexico City, with the fixture serving as a symbolic rematch of the 2010 World Cup's opening game. South Africa qualified as Group A winners in CAF qualifying for their fourth World Cup appearance.

    11 June 2026 · Informanté

  2. Namibian CAF clubs seek home advantage in continental competitions

    Namibia's representatives in CAF interclub competitions—African Stars in the CAF Champions League and Chula Chula FC in the CAF Confederation Cup—are hopeful of hosting their continental matches at Unam Main Campus Stadium, citing cost savings and home-crowd support as key benefits.

    11 June 2026 · The Namibian

Wednesday 10 June

  1. US bars Somali referee, Iranian staff from World Cup entry

    The White House Task Force for the World Cup defended denying visas to a Somali referee and some Iranian team support staff, with a US State Department official saying the referee was "associated with suspected members of terrorist organizations." The decision means Somali referee Omar Artan, named men's referee of the year by the Confederation of African Football, will miss the opportunity to become the first Somali to referee at a World Cup.

    10 June 2026 · The Namibian

Tuesday 9 June

  1. Somalia backs referee denied US entry for World Cup

    Somalia's Ministry of Sports expressed deep regret after award-winning referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the United States on Saturday, preventing him from becoming the first Somali official to officiate at a World Cup finals. Artan, named CAF men's referee of the year in 2025 and selected among 52 referees by FIFA, was barred following a routine inspection at Miami International Airport.

    9 June 2026 · The Namibian

Tuesday 2 June

  1. African nations secure ten places at 2026 FIFA World Cup

    Africa will be represented by ten nations at the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup, with nine countries securing direct qualification and one earning a place through intercontinental play-offs. The direct qualifiers include continental heavyweights Egypt, Morocco, Senegal, Algeria, Tunisia, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, and South Africa, alongside debutants Cape Verde and returning Congo DR.

    2 June 2026 · Informanté

Wednesday 27 May

  1. Shalulile becomes first Namibian to win CAF Champions League

    Namibian striker Peter Shalulile won his 14th career title after Mamelodi Sundowns defeated AS FAR 2-1 on aggregate in the 2026 CAF Champions League final, making him the first Namibian player to claim the continental trophy and reinforcing his status as the most decorated Namibian footballer of all time.

    27 May 2026 · The Namibian

Tuesday 26 May

  1. Brazil seeks sixth World Cup title against Morocco and Scotland

    Brazil, hunting their first World Cup title in 24 years, face Morocco—semi-finalists in 2022—and Scotland in Group C, with new coach Carlo Ancelotti tasked with optimizing an unbalanced squad featuring strong defensive options but clear gaps at full-back, midfield, and centre-forward.

    26 May 2026 · The Namibian

Sunday 24 May

  1. Independence Stadium procurement expected to begin second quarter

    The government is expected to start the procurement process for a contractor to redevelop Independence Stadium in Windhoek during the second quarter of the current financial year, with the stadium currently at the final design and documentation stage. The project is one of five stadiums planned across the country to be upgraded to Confederation of African Football category three standards, to be implemented in phases.

    24 May 2026 · The Namibian

Thursday 21 May

  1. Senegal announce 28-man squad for 2026 World Cup campaign

    Coach Pape Thiaw unveiled a 28-man Senegal squad for the 2026 World Cup, featuring established stars including Sadio Mane, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Edouard Mendy alongside emerging talent. Senegal will begin their Group I campaign on June 16 against France in New Jersey, also facing Norway and Iraq.

    21 May 2026 · The Namibian

  2. Former African football stars debate 2026 World Cup prospects

    El Hadji Diouf and CAF president Patrick Motsepe believe an African team can win the 2026 World Cup, citing Morocco's run to the semi-finals in Qatar 2022 as evidence of growing capability. Nigeria's Jay-Jay Okocha remains unconvinced about African chances.

    21 May 2026 · The Namibian

Wednesday 20 May

  1. Namibia joins South Africa bid to co-host Afcon 2028

    Namibia Football Association president Robert Shimooshili confirmed Namibia's joint bid with South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe to co-host Afcon 2028. Shimooshili, newly elected to Cosafa's executive committee, said the NFA has agreed to co-host pending final government approval, though infrastructure upgrades including an approved stadium will be necessary.

    20 May 2026 · The Namibian

Tuesday 19 May

  1. Shimooshili elected to Cosafa executive committee

    Robert Shimooshili, president of the Namibia Football Association, was elected to the Executive Committee of the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations during Cosafa's 2026 Elective General Assembly in Harare. Shimooshili said the election represents a major achievement for Namibia and an opportunity to advance football development and economic growth in the region.

    19 May 2026 · New Era

  2. Namibia joins 2028 AFCON co-hosting bid with regional partners

    Namibia is part of a regional campaign to co-host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations with South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe, according to the interim secretary general of the Namibia Football Association. The NFA has expressed its intention to host, though discussions are still in early stages and the association is seeking government support.

    19 May 2026 · New Era

Monday 18 May

  1. Southern African nations submit joint 2028 AFCON hosting bid

    Botswana, South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe have jointly submitted a bid to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations, according to newly elected COSAFA president Qabile Thana Tariq Babitseng. The bid follows CAF's encouragement for regional collaboration and aligns with a rotating continental approach to hosting major tournaments.

    18 May 2026 · Informanté

Wednesday 13 May

  1. TS Galaxy stun Sundowns; Pirates favour title contenders

    TS Galaxy defeated leaders Mamelodi Sundowns 3-2 on Tuesday, a result that makes Orlando Pirates favourites to win the South African Premiership for the first time since 2012. Pirates have 65 points with two matches remaining and a superior goal difference over Sundowns, who finished with 68 points from 30 matches.

    13 May 2026 · The Namibian

Tuesday 12 May

  1. Former Namibian footballer Rodney Wallace Doeseb dies

    Rodney Wallace Doeseb, a former national star who played goalkeeper for Brave Warriors and Eleven Arrows, has died. The Namibian football fraternity has mourned his passing, with colleagues describing him as a passionate advocate for football development and regional football structures in Erongo.

    12 May 2026 · The Namibian

Thursday 7 May

  1. Namibia, Botswana review sports partnership progress

    Namibia and Botswana held a high-level bilateral engagement between their sports commissions in Gaborone to review progress under a 2021 Memorandum of Understanding and map a stronger path for regional sport development. The partnership has yielded results in athlete support, high-performance preparation, sport governance and regional cooperation through athlete exchanges, joint training camps, and event hosting.

    7 May 2026 · New Era

  2. Government drives regional sports facilities development across Namibia

    The Namibia Planning Commission is coordinating with the Ministries of Finance and Education to develop and upgrade sport facilities across all regions, with a goal of ensuring every Namibian has access to quality sporting infrastructure by 2030. The initiative aims to professionalise sport and create employment and development opportunities for youth.

    7 May 2026 · The Namibian

Confederation of African Football — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute