The Namibia Football Association (NFA) has dismissed allegations that it dispatched the Namibia Premier League (NPL) trophy to Oshakati in anticipation of an Eeshoke Chula-Chula championship victory before the final matches of the 2025/26 season had concluded.

The rumors circulated widely on social media and during the NBC Soccer Pitch programme, suggesting that celebratory arrangements had been made in the North, potentially casting doubt on the fairness of the title race between African Stars and Eeshoke Chula-Chula. Heading into the final fixtures, only a single point separated the two clubs.

Soccer Pitch analysts Isack Hamata and Shefeeni Nikodemus expressed concern over the reported logistics.

"It is a sad situation that it had to end in that manner, that it was pre-determined who was going to win, and that you have taken the cups and carpets to one location," Hamata stated. "It puts a sour taste in someone's mouth, as we understand that is what happened. We had a situation like this before, but as a country we had a plan. One was that there was a helicopter, and the other was two replica trophies and two sets of officials, each stationed where the last matches were played."

Nikodemus added: "It gives rise to doubts on how fair this competition was. You start asking questions like: was there a pre-determined outcome up north for them to take the celebratory staff to the north? There needs to be a plan in place. You need to think around what could possibly happen at the end of the season."

In response, Acting General Secretary of the NFA, Mabos Vries, rejected the claims. He stated that the NFA made no official handover arrangements at either venue to avoid giving any team an advantage or dealing with potential counter-reactions.

"NFA did not arrange for any official handover, and that is our position," Vries explained. "Instead of giving anyone an advantage, we would have made provision for the cup handover at one venue and not at the other where we did not make provisions. That is why we only opted for dummy trophies, and we will address the matter."

Following a 2-0 victory over FC Ongos in Windhoek, African Stars were crowned league champions. Vries clarified that while the NFA retained possession of the trophy, it was provided to the club following a specific request for internal activities.

"The trophy was at NFA, but unfortunately African Stars made a request  from us to give them the trophy because they have some activities where it is required," Vries said. "We agreed, as we do not have a problem with that, while we will stick to presenting the medals at the awards ceremony."

Looking toward the future, Vries confirmed that the Namibia Premier League will operate independently from the NFA starting next season. This transition is intended to allow the association to dedicate more resources to the development of lower leagues and grassroots football.