Namibia top scorer Stephanus suffers broken leg, KK Palace apologise

The 2026 Namibian Premier Football League (NPFL) season has ended prematurely for Golden Boot hot favourite Petrus Stephanus after he suffered a horror injury on Sunday.

The FC Ongos forward will miss the rest of the NPFL season after breaking his left leg tibia and fibula following a reckless tackle by King Kauluma Palace Sports Club (KK Palace SC) defender Kelvin Akper.

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FC Ongos striker Petrus Stephanus has been ruled out for the rest of the season after breaking his left leg (tibia and fibula) following a tackle from KK Palace defender Kelvin Akper on Sunday, 15 March 2026. He was transported to… pic.twitter.com/SCYcJfEXjA

— 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐲 𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐚 🇳🇦 (@FootyNamibia) March 17, 2026

The FC Ongos forward was rushed to Katutura Hospital, where he underwent a successful operation on the same day for the injury suffered at Independence Stadium in Windhoek.

What injury means to Namibia top scorer Stephanus

The injury has since ended Stephanus’ chase for the NPFL Golden Boot Award. He is the league’s leading top scorer with 12 goals from 22 games.

Stephanus is now expected to be sidelined for a year. Looking at the gravity of the injury, KK Palace issued an apology through their acting general manager Shilongo Amuanyena on Tuesday.

“KK Palace Sports Club would like to tender a sporting apology to Ongos Sports Club and specifically to the player Petrus Stephanus for the unfortunate injury sustained during a league match between KK Palace and Ongos Sports Club played on 15 March 2026 at Windhoek, Independence Stadium,” reads the apology.

“The soccer match was played in a positive competitive sporting spirit, however, we subsequently learned that Petrus Stephanus picked up a serious injury which left him with a broken leg after an incident with Akper of our club.

“It is worth mentioning that this incident was not premeditated to injure Petrus.”

Why Stephanus was not amused by the referee

Stephanus has since expressed optimism over a quick return to action, but blamed the referee for not penalising the KK Palace defender.

“The referee didn’t even give a penalty or at least a card after I was tackled, but I’m doing okay,” he told Namibian newspaper.

“The player who tackled me called me a few minutes after I arrived at the hospital while I was doing my X-ray to check how I was doing.”

FC Ongos lost Sunday’s match 0-2 to and will miss the contribution of their striker, as they sit third on the log with 44 points with only four matches remaining in the season.