FIFA Approves Independence – 14/05/2008

The Namibia Football Association has informed the media, in a statement released at noon today that, following an inspection by highly qualified FIFA Security Officer and Referee Inspector, Mr. Frank Valdemarca, FIFA has informed the Namibia Football Association that the Independence Stadium is fit to host matches of the qualification rounds of the FIFA World Cup 2010.

There was fear that the Brave Warriors might be forced to play their match against Kenya in an alternative country should FIFA find the facility not to be in good order. However, FIFA has given the go-ahead for NFA to host the Brave Warriors qualification matches at Namibia’s biggest stadium.  Namibia is playing Zimbabwe at the Independence Stadium this weekend in a CAF Nations Championship match.

“We take this opportunity to thank FIFA for the decision to allow the Brave Warriors to play their matches inside the country and by so doing allow this country to join others in the celebrations of welcoming the biggest sports event to our continent” said the Acting Secretary General of NFA, Mr. Barry Rukoro. “We have to thank the Government of the Republic of Namibia, through its Ministry of Youth, National Service, Sport and Culture for their support during a challenging period”.

The Acting Secretary General also thanked the NFA President for his personal support to the Secretariat at the time.