Two Namibian coaches suspended after gun, knife confrontation

Shipanga. Photo Credit: Namibian Football Association.

The Namibian Football Association (NFA) has suspended indefinitely two coaches for top-flight clubs after their confrontation involving a knife and a gun on Sunday, 18th May 2025.

Bucks Buccaneers FC coach, Filemon Ronnie Kanalelo, and his VEN Blue Waters FC counterpart, Paulus Shipanga, reportedly brandished the dangerous weapons after a heated altercation at Nau-Aib Stadium, Okahandja.

Despite the incident occurring after the Namibia Premier Football League match outside the stadium, NFA, through interim general secretary Cassius Moetie, suspended the duo for breaching rules and regulations.

“In accordance with the above rules, NFA Statutes relative to the gravity of the incident, the Football Association hereby imposes immediate suspension on both coaches: Filemon Ronnie Kanalelo-Head coach, Bucks Buccaneers FC and Paulus Shipanga-Head coach, VEN Blue Waters FC,” Moetie wrote in a statement.

“The suspension is effective 21st May 2025, and shall remain in force pending the conclusion of a disciplinary inquiry. During this period, the above-named coaches are prohibited from attending any NFA-sanctioned match or training session in an official capacity and performing any technical duties associated with their respective clubs.”

Buccaneers FC and Blue Waters have since been asked to “ensure that their respective coaches submit statements detailing the sequence of the incident by no later than Friday, 23 May 2025 at 17:00.”

NFA added that it has acted on the matter pending the inquiry after Kanalelo, a Mamelodi Sundowns legend and the former Brave Warriors striker, admitted involvement in the wrangle in the media.

“Based on the verbal admissions by both coaches on Desert Radio (20th May 2025), in the Namibian Newspaper (21st May 2025), and the public acknowledgements by the individuals involved, coach Filemon Ronnie Kanalelo and coach Paulus Shipanga were involved in a confrontation in the stadium parking area during which they pulled a knife and firearm on each other," the statement reads.

“The incident, although it occurred after the final whistle, and not recorded in the referees' official report, represents a serious breach of misconduct in terms of the rules and regulations of FIFA, CAF and NFA. The misconduct is serious and a gross misconduct in terms of Rule 60 of the NFA Rules and regulations.”

Meanwhile, the Buccaneers have released a statement that it would not comply with the NFA’s ban on Kanalelo.

“Furthermore, we do not concur with the Namibia Football Association’s decision to suspend coach Kanalelo based on this incident. It is important to note that the incident took place during his time and has no bearing on his role or responsibilities within Bucks Buccaneers FC or the broader football community,” the club’s statement reads.

It is unclear what triggered the confrontation between the former Brave Warriors goalkeeper Kanalelo and the ex-international striker Shipanga after the league match.

Shipanga was a top striker for country and local clubs such as Tura Magic and Bay United in South Africa. He once served as the Namibia women’s national football team coach.

On the other hand, the 53-year-old Kanalelo is a legend for Sundowns after winning the PSL in South Africa. He also represented Namibia at the 1998 AFCON finals in Burkina Faso.