Young African sell Namibia Premier League status to Tigers FC

Young African FC owner Marley Ngarizemo has defended the sale of the club’s Namibia Premier League status to Tigers FC, saying rising operating costs and the absence of a sustainable sponsor made continuation at the top level too risky. The transaction was completed in April for an undisclosed amount.

Ngarizemo said the decision was not driven by a loss of interest in the club. He instead said increasing player salaries had created financial obligations he could no longer comfortably meet. Part of the money from the sale was used to clear outstanding bills, allowing him to avoid further losses on a club he had built.

Young African will now compete in the Southern Stream First Division, while Tigers retain a place in the Premier League for the coming season. Ngarizemo said returning to the top flight remained possible if the club could secure investment and work its way back through the lower division.

He also argued that the financial model for Namibia’s top flight was difficult without major sponsorship. National Football Association grants and income from home fixtures were not enough to sustain a competitive team, with Young African sometimes earning less than N$2 000 from hosting a match. In that situation, he said, even fulfilling league commitments could become a burden.

The club is separately involved in a legal dispute with Namibia Correctional Service FC over an earlier proposed sale valued at N$1.3 million. Ngarizemo says NCS paid a N$400 000 deposit but did not complete the remaining payment by the agreed deadline. The deposit was forfeited, and the matter remains before the courts without affecting Young African’s current operations.

Tigers have appointed former Khomas Nampol coach Fortune Eichab on a two-year contract after acquiring the status. The move has also revived concerns about clubs using status purchases to return to the Premier League after relegation, with critics saying such deals can weaken the purpose of promotion and relegation when the same identity quickly returns to the competition.