The Brave Warriors of Namibia have taken a bold stand against their Football Federation, embarking on a strike on Monday evening, March 11. The players are protesting the non-payment of bonuses owed to them following their participation in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
In a united front, the Namibian national team players have issued a joint statement demanding the immediate disbursement of their bonuses.
They are seeking compensation totaling 15 million Namibian dollars, equivalent to just over 800,000 US dollars, for their commendable performance at the AFCON 2023 tournament.
It is emphasized that these funds were specifically allocated to the Brave Warriors and were not intended for the improvement of football infrastructure.
The contractual agreement between the Brave Warriors players and the Namibia Football Federation (NFA) stipulates that, “In cases of sponsorships or awards of any kind to the team during the tournament, the profits will be shared equally between players and technical teams,” as stated in a press release issued to the NFA.
The unresolved bonus dispute has raised questions about the impact it may have on the coaching staff, particularly head coach Collin Benjamin, amidst the upcoming international break in March.
The situation remains fluid, with both players and officials awaiting further developments in the coming days.
The strike action by the Brave Warriors underscores the players’ determination to uphold their rights and seek fair compensation for their contributions to Namibian football.
As negotiations continue between the players’ representatives and the NFA, the resolution of this dispute will be closely monitored by football fans both within Namibia and across the African continent.
