{{Short description|Top Namibian football division}} <!--{{Use Namibian English}}--> {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2023}} {{Infobox football league | name = Namibia Premiership | logo = Namibia_Premiership_Logo.png | pixels = 250 | country = {{NAM}} | organiser = Namibia Football Association | confed = CAF | founded = 2020 | first = 2022–23 | folded = | teams = 16 | relegation = First Division | levels = 1 | domest_cup = Namibia FA Cup | confed_cup = CAF Champions League<br /> CAF Confederation Cup | champions = African Stars (3rd title) | most successful club = African Stars (3) | tv = | website = | current = 2025–26 Namibia Premiership }}
The '''Namibia Premiership''', or the '''Debmarine Namibia Premiership''' for sponsorship reasons, is the highest level of domestic association football in Namibia. It operates under the auspices of the Namibia Football Association.<ref name="From Premier League to Premiership">{{cite web |title=From Premier League to Premiership: Namibian top-flight league faces turbulence |url=https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/articles/from-premier-league-to-premiership-namibian-top-flight-league-faces-turbulence |publisher=FIFA |access-date=9 July 2023 |archive-date=12 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012103640/https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/articles/from-premier-league-to-premiership-namibian-top-flight-league-faces-turbulence |url-status=live }}</ref>
== History == After ongoing financial and organizational problems with the Namibia Premier League (NPL), the Namibia Football Association expelled the league and founded a new top-flight league themselves following the 2018–19 season.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://southerntimesafrica.com/site/news/namibia-football-starts-new-chapter |title=''Namibia football starts new chapter.'' Southern Times, 11 December 2020. |access-date=18 January 2021 |archive-date=13 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201213132747/https://southerntimesafrica.com/site/news/namibia-football-starts-new-chapter |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="homeless">{{Cite web |url=https://www.namibian.com.na/97549/read/Homeless-NPL-refuses-to-yield |title=''"Homeless" NPL refuses to yield.'' The Namibian, 22 December 2020. |access-date=18 January 2021 |archive-date=13 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113180030/https://www.namibian.com.na/97549/read/Homeless-NPL-refuses-to-yield |url-status=live }}</ref>
Despite a planned debut season in 2021, the league finally played its first season in 2022-23 after securing major sponsorship funding.<ref name="From Premier League to Premiership"/> Originally called the Namibia Premier Football League, the league was renamed the Namibia Premiership with the significant sponsorship of N$13 million provided by Debmarine.<ref name="Debmarine Namibia Premiership">{{cite web |title=Debmarine Namibia Premiership |url=https://nfa.org.na/namibia-football-premier-league/ |publisher=Namibian Football Association |access-date=2 July 2024}}</ref><ref name="Premiership Action Returns">{{cite web |title=Premiership Action Returns Courtesy of Denmark e |url=https://economist.com.na/74696/sport/premiership-action-returns-courtesy-of-debmarine/ |publisher=Namibia Economist |access-date=2 July 2024}}</ref>
Following the 2023–24 season, the Namibia Football Association addressed the long-time issue of clubs with shared ownership competing in the same league. Beginning with the 2024–25 season, the practice would no longer be allowed. The debate had begun a season earlier with Mighty Gunners and Military School Okahandja, both operated by the Namibian Defence Force, set to compete in the Premiership. The issue was solved with the sale and rebranding of the club to Okahandja United. The issue arose again in summer 2024 when Khomas NAMPOL and Namibia Correctional Service were set to compete in the top-flight. Because of the new policy, Namibian Correctional Service FC were not promoted and were replaced by First Division South runners-up Blue Boys.<ref name="sister clubs">{{cite web |last1=Tuerijama |first1=John |title=NFA addressing sister clubs in one league |url=https://www.namibian.com.na/nfa-addressing-sister-clubs-in-one-league/ |publisher=The Namibian |access-date=3 August 2024}}</ref>
== Clubs == {{Positionskarte+ |Namibia |width=400 |float=right |caption= NPFL teams 2024/25 |places= {{Positionskarte~ |Namibia |mark=Football (soccer ball).svg |marksize=10 |label='''Windhoek'''<br /><small>African Stars<br />Bucks Buccaneers<br />Tigers<br />Ongos<br />UNAM<br />Khomas NAMPOL</small> |position=bottom |long=17.083611 |lat=-22.57 |region=NA-KH}} {{Positionskarte~ |Namibia |mark=Football (soccer ball).svg |marksize=10 |label='''Okahandja'''<br /><small>Okahandja</small> |position=left|long=16.910833|lat=-21.980278 |region=NA-OD}} {{Positionskarte~ |Namibia |mark=Football (soccer ball).svg |marksize=10 |label='''Otjiwarongo'''<br /><small>Mighty Gunners</small> |position=right|long=16.653003 |lat=-20.464231 |region=NA-OD}} {{Positionskarte~ |Namibia |mark=Football (soccer ball).svg |marksize=10 |label='''Walvis Bay'''<br /><small>Blue Waters</small> |position=left |long=14.505278 |lat=-22.9575 |region=NA-ER}} {{Positionskarte~ |Namibia |mark=Football (soccer ball).svg |marksize=10 |label='''Gobabis'''<br /><small>Young African</small> |position=right |long=18.972314 |lat=-22.451158 |region=NA-OH}} {{Positionskarte~ |Namibia |mark=Football (soccer ball).svg |marksize=10 |label='''Karasburg'''<br /><small>Young Brazilians</small> |position=right |long=18.750645|lat=-28.020180|region=NA-KA}} {{Positionskarte~ |Namibia |mark=Football (soccer ball).svg |marksize=10 |label='''Rundu'''<br /><small>Julinho Sporting<br> Cuca Tops</small> |position=right |long=19.768056|lat=-17.9175|region=NA-KE}} {{Positionskarte~ |Namibia |mark=Football (soccer ball).svg |marksize=10 |label='''Eenhana'''<br /><small>Eeshoke Chula Chula</small> |position=right |long=16.3287 |lat=-17.4850|region=NA-KE}} {{Positionskarte~ |Namibia |mark=Football (soccer ball).svg |marksize=10 |label='''Ondangwa'''<br /><small>KK Palace</small> |position=left |long=15.978203|lat=-17.913747|region=NA-KE}} {{Positionskarte~ |Namibia |mark=Football (soccer ball).svg |marksize=10 |label='''Swakopmund'''<br /><small>Blue Boys</small> |position=left |long=14.1258|lat=-21.6749|region=NA-KE}} }}
{| class="wikitable sortable" |- !colspan=4; style="background:#50B5FA ; color:#05375A; border:2px solid #030303;" scope="col"|2024–2025 Namibia Premiership |- !style="background:#50B5FA ; color:#05375A; border:2px solid #030303;" scope="col"|Team !style="background:#50B5FA ; color:#05375A; border:2px solid #030303;" scope="col"|Location !style="background:#50B5FA ; color:#05375A; border:2px solid #030303;" scope="col"|Stadium !style="background:#50B5FA ; color:#05375A; border:2px solid #030303;" scope="col"|Capacity |- |'''African Stars''' | Katutura | Sam Nujoma Stadium | 10,300 |- |'''Blue Boys''' | Swakopmund | Mondesa Stadium | 2,000 |- |'''Blue Waters''' | Walvis Bay | Kuisebmund Stadium | 4,000 |- |'''Bucks Buccaneers''' | Khomasdal | Khomasdal Stadium | 2,000 |- |'''Eeshoke Chula Chula''' | Oshikango | Oshakati Independence Stadium | 8,000 |- |'''Cuca Tops''' | Rundu | Rundu Sports Stadium | 500 |- |'''Julinho Sporting''' | Rundu | Rundu Sports Stadium | 500 |- |'''Khomas NAMPOL''' | Windhoek | UNAM Stadium | 3,000 |- |'''KK Palace''' | Ondangwa | Oshakati Independence Stadium | 8,000 |- |'''Mighty Gunners''' | Otjiwarongo | Mokati Stadium | 1,000 |- |'''Okahandja United''' | Okahandja | Nau-AIB Stadium | 1,000 |- |'''Ongos SC''' | Windhoek | Sam Nujoma Stadium | 10,300 |- |'''United Africa Tigers''' | Windhoek | Sam Nujoma Stadium | 10,300 |- |'''UNAM''' | Windhoek | UNAM Stadium | 3,000 |- |'''Young Africans''' | Gobabis | Legare Stadium | 5,000 |- |'''Young Brazilians''' | Karasburg | Karasburg Stadium | 1,000 |- |}
==Champions== {| class="wikitable" align=center |- !style="background:#50B5FA ; color:#05375A; border:2px solid #030303;" scope="col"|Season !style="background:#50B5FA ; color:#05375A; border:2px solid #030303;" scope="col"|Champion !style="background:#50B5FA ; color:#05375A; border:2px solid #030303;" scope="col"|Runners-up !style="background:#50B5FA ; color:#05375A; border:2px solid #030303;" scope="col"|Top Scorer(s) !style="background:#50B5FA ; color:#05375A; border:2px solid #030303;" scope="col"|Club !style="background:#50B5FA ; color:#05375A; border:2px solid #030303;" scope="col"|Goals |- |align=center| 2022–23<ref name="Namibia 2022/23">{{cite web |last1=Stokkermans |first1=Karel |title=Namibia 2022/23 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesn/nami2023.html#first |publisher=RSSSF |access-date=9 July 2023 |archive-date=9 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709144357/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesn/nami2023.html#first |url-status=live }}</ref> |African Stars |Blue Waters |{{Flagicon|NAM}} Willy Stephanus<ref name="Stars lift Debmarine Premiership trophy">{{cite web |last1=Kambukwe |first1=Maurice |title=Stars lift Debmarine Premiership trophy… Oshaala FC, Eleven Arrows, Citizens relegated |url=https://neweralive.na/posts/stars-lift-debmarine-premiership-trophy |publisher=New Era |access-date=9 July 2023 |archive-date=9 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709144602/https://neweralive.na/posts/stars-lift-debmarine-premiership-trophy |url-status=live }}</ref> |African Stars | align=center|20 |- |align=center| 2023–24<ref name="Namibia 2023/24">{{cite web |last1=Schöggl |first1=Hans |last2=Stokkermans |first2=Karel |title=Namibia 2023/24 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesn/nami2024.html |publisher=RSSSF |access-date=2 July 2024}}</ref> |African Stars |Ongos Valley |{{flagicon|NAM}} Willy Stephanus<ref name="Stars Back to Back Champions">{{cite web |last1=Munango |first1=Brian |title=Stars Back to Back Champions |url=https://www.namibiansun.com/sport-wrap-main/stars-back-to-back-champions2024-04-30113963 |publisher=The Namibian Sun |access-date=2 July 2024}}</ref><br>{{flagicon|NAM}} Rewaldo Prins<ref name="movement abroad">{{cite web |title=Benjamin happy with players’ movement abroad |url=https://neweralive.na/benjamin-happy-with-players-movement-abroad/ |publisher=New Era Live |access-date=15 July 2024}}</ref> |African Stars<br> Khomas NAMPOL | align=center|16 |- |align=center| 2024–25<ref name="Namibia 2024/25">{{cite web |last2= |first2= |title=Namibia 2024/25 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesn/nami2025.html |publisher=RSSSF |access-date=12 June 2025}}</ref> |African Stars |Young African |{{flagicon|NAM}} Mbakondja Tjahikina<ref name="Season in Namibia">{{cite web |last1=Mbabala |first1=John |title=EXCLUSIVE: Jasper Masialeti Eyes Chipolopolo Call-Up After Stellar Debut Season in Namibia |url=https://bolanews.co/soccer/chipolopolo/exclusive-jasper-masialeti-eyes-chipolopolo-call-up-after-stellar-debut-season-in-namibia/ |publisher=Bola News |access-date=12 August 2025}}</ref> |African Stars | align=center|15 |- |align=center| 2025–26<ref name="Namibia 2025/26">{{cite web |last2= |first2= |title=Namibia 2025/26 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesn/nami2026.html |publisher=RSSSF |access-date=12 June 2025}}</ref> |African Stars |Eeshoke Chula Chula | | | align=center| |- |} {{notelist}}
==International competition== Below is a list of results in international competitions by clubs from the Namibia Premiership.
{| class="wikitable" align=center !style="background:#50B5FA ; color:#05375A; border:2px solid #030303;" scope="col"|Year !style="background:#50B5FA ; color:#05375A; border:2px solid #030303;" scope="col"|Club !style="background:#50B5FA ; color:#05375A; border:2px solid #030303;" scope="col"|Competition !style="background:#50B5FA ; color:#05375A; border:2px solid #030303;" scope="col"|Round !style="background:#50B5FA ; color:#05375A; border:2px solid #030303;" scope="col"|Opponent !style="background:#50B5FA ; color:#05375A; border:2px solid #030303;" scope="col"|Home !style="background:#50B5FA ; color:#05375A; border:2px solid #030303;" scope="col"|Away !style="background:#50B5FA ; color:#05375A; border:2px solid #030303;" scope="col"|Agg. !style="background:#50B5FA ; color:#05375A; border:2px solid #030303;" scope="col"|Notes |- | style="text-align:left;" rowspan=1| 2023–24 | style="text-align:left;" rowspan=3| African Stars | style="text-align:left;" rowspan=3| CAF Champions League | style="text-align:left;" rowspan=1| First Qualifying Round | {{flagicon|ZAM}} Power Dynamos | style="background:#dfd;" |{{center|2–1}} | style="background:#fdd;" |{{center|0–1}} | style="background:#fdd;" |{{center|2–2}} | lost on away goals |- | style="text-align:left;" rowspan=1| 2024–25 | style="text-align:left;" rowspan=1| First Qualifying Round | {{flagicon|BOT}} Jwaneng Galaxy | style="background:#dfd;" |{{center|1–0}} | style="background:#fdd;" |{{center|0–1}} | style="background:#fdd;" |{{center|1–1}} | lost 5–6 on penalties |- | style="text-align:left;" rowspan=1| 2025–26 | style="text-align:left;" rowspan=1| First Qualifying Round | {{flagicon|UGA}} Vipers | style="background:#fdd;" |{{center|0–1}} | style="background:#fdd;" |{{center|0–1}} | style="background:#fdd;" |{{center|0–2}} | |- |}
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == *[https://nfa.org.na/namibia-football-premier-league/ Official website] *[https://www.facebook.com/Namibia-Premier-Football-League-NPFL-104760455062597/posts Official Facebook]
{{Football in Namibia}} {{CAF Leagues}}
Category:Football in Namibia Category:Football leagues in Namibia Namibia Category:2021 establishments in Namibia Category:Sports leagues established in 2021