Pirates officials mum on Civics deal
Football
Some Orlando Pirates leaders and supporters are apparently opposing the acquisition of Civics' premier league status.
Senior officials of Orlando Pirates have chosen to remain tight-lipped on their alleged acquisition of the status of Civics Football Club, in order to rejoin the Debmarine Namibia Premier Football League.Reports have surfaced that the relegated Pirates have struck a deal with Civics, who survived relegation last season.
Speculation is rife that the Pirates hierarchy has acquired the status of Civics, while the Civilians on the other hand will allegedly take the place of Pirates in the NFA’s first division.
The two officials alleged to have been part of the alleged transaction, Mabos Ortmann and Charles Naruseb, both refused to comment on the matter.
“I do not have anything to say regarding the matter. Please call Mabos Ortmann for any information on that,” Naruseb said.
Ortmann however refused to comment on the matter, even after this newspaper was referred to speak to him. “I do not have any comment,” he briefly said.
Stand-off
It is speculated that the deal was made without the awareness or blessing of some in the Orlando Pirates community and that is why the club’s senior officials are afraid to go public about the situation.
A source within the club confirmed to Sport Wrap that there is an alleged stand-off between members of the club after some only found out about the deal when the process was already in its final stages.
“There is a stand-off in the Pirates community and that is probably the reason why everyone is taking a cautious approach and are refusing to shed more light on the matter,” the source said.
The Namibia Football Association secretariat could not be reached for comment yesterday, but sources close to the secretariat have disclosed that they are aware of the deal.
The source further reveals that there has been a vacuum in communication between all the parties involved.
In previous precedent of such a status takeover in recent times, Unam FC bought out Ramblers’ place in the premiership.
Also, in 2018 Okahandja Military School FC won promotion to the NPL, but was denied clearance because it was previously owned by the Namibian Defence Force, the same ownership as another NPL club, Mighty Gunners. Former Brave Warriors international Congo Hindjou then bought Military School FC and gave it its current name, Okahandja United.
Civics famously won the NPL title three seasons in a row (from 2004-’05 to 2006-’07), but had since fallen behind the golden era of African Stars and now-relegated Black Africa as the powerhouse teams that dominated the top-flight in recent years. Civics ended 12th out of 16 teams in the 2023-’24 season, with six wins and 12 draws in 30 matches.