Bucks Buccaneers FC and 2 others dump Namibia Cup

Giants Bucks Buccaneers FC are among three clubs that have chickened out of the Namibia Football Association (NFA) Cup (Namibia Cup).

In separate letters addressed to the Namibia Football Association (NFA), Buccaneers, Tigers FC and Life Fighters FC, citing budgetary constraints and ill-timed organisation on the part of the country’s football governing body.

Fighters FC said they were uncomfortable playing in the competition because it was not part of the 2025/2026 calendar of events. The cup was launched after the Namibia Football Premier League had ended in April 2026.

In another letter dated 6 May 2026, Buccaneers FC chairperson, Charles Naruseb, said they decided to withdraw from the national cup after examining the financial implications involved.

“Bucks Buccaneers FC would like to formally announce that we will not be participating in the recently announced NFA Cup,” he wrote to NFA acting general secretary Mabos Vries.

NFA Cup cost implications

“This decision has been made after careful consideration of the financial implications involved. As a club, we are responsible for paying our players monthly salaries, and we must ensure proper budgeting for at least two months.”

Naruseb disclosed that his team would have dug deeper into its pockets to pay for the expenses of playing in the cup, citing salaries, travel and accommodation.

“This includes May, which covers preparations and match participation as well as June should we advance in the competition. Our salary commitments alone amount to approximately 420,000 Namibian Dollar [USD26,000) over this period of two months,” he added.

“In addition, to salaries, participation would require further expenditure on travel, accommodation, and equipment wear and tear. These combined costs place a significant financial strain on the club, especially as this tournament was not included in our prior budget planning.”

Bucks Buccaneers profile and titles won

The three-time Namibian Premiership champions have since urged NFA to strive for proper organisation of competition with the interest of participating teams at heart. NFA Cup has since been launched and will involve 740 clubs with overall sponsorship pegged at USD 441,000.

“For these reasons, we believe it is not financially responsible to allocate funds towards this tournament under the current circumstances. We maintain that such competitions should be organised with proper planning and consideration for participating teams,” adds the statement.

The three-time NFA Cup winners used to be called Civics FC before it rebranded to Bucks Buccaneers in 2025. The outfit is based in Khomasasdal, north of the capital Windhoek.

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