Chaos brews at NFA as Mbidi gets the boot while December Congress is postponed

WINDHOEK, OCT. 28 – Following an Exco meeting yesterday, Namibia Football Association (NFA) resolved to sack president Frans Mbidi.

According to the NFA website, “The Executive Committee having convened in terms of Article 34 (2) further resolved in terms of Article 35 (0) to dismiss the President Mr. Frans Mbidi until the Congress on the 12th January 2019, for submission of the motion by it in accordance with Article 37 (1).”

An Executive Committee Meeting that took place yesterday, 27th October 2018 at the NFA Girls Centre deliberated on a number of issues, “which, at the moment are challenging the smooth operation of the NFA, in particular the Executive Committee and the Secretariat’s operations.”

According to the website, Vice-president Dr Naftal Ngalangi informed the NFA Executive Committee that the NFA Elective Congress will take place on the 12th January 2019, in Windhoek.

Mbidi is accused of “Failure to adhere to his fiduciary duties in the NFA Constitution;”

In addition, Mbidi stands accused of: “Not convening Executive Committee meetings as per NFA Statutes, in particular Article 34.1; Failing to implement Executive Committee decisions as per Article 38.2 (a); Being untruthful and misrepresenting Executive Committeeresolutions to FIFA and CAF and being generally disloyal to the NFA.”

Furthermore, the statement places Mbidi under accusations of: “Rendering the NFA Secretariat ungovernable; Failure to refute a report from NFA’s official delegates to the FIFA Congress in Moscow that he has taken money from the Moroccan bid officials to vote for that Association’s World Cup bid,” according to the website.

Last Sunday, Namibia Daily News reported on the inner squabbles that dominate NFA’s leadership.

Mbidi’s sacking is a curious turn of events as he was elected into power by the NFA Congress, and as such, it stands to reason that only Congress can relieve him of his duties. Sources have indicated that Mbidi could challenge the decision in court. – mrobert@namibiadailynews.info