Zebaldt Ngaruka
The long-standing power struggles within Black Africa Sports Club have officially drawn to a close following a historic election that ushered in a fresh wave of leadership.
With the appointment of a new executive, the club now faces the critical task of uniting fractured factions and restoring public trust in the game.
At an elective congress held recently in the capital, Black Africa (BA) elected Jomo Petrus as the club chairperson, and he will be deputised by Donald Tjikune as vice chairperson while Jamba Katimba was chosen as club’s secretary.
The administrative affairs of the former formidable club is in the hands of Ingrid Louis after she was elected as an administrative officer at the congress.
Tiego Thudinyane will be in charge of the financial affairs of the BA after he scooped the treasurer portfolio, while John Kandundu is the team’s public relations and marketing officer.
The Congress also elected Miriam Nashikaku, and Eddy Kgobetsi as two additional members to the executive committee (EXCO) who will assist the club in various capacities.
The club chairperson Petrus said the immediate task of the EXCO will be at the helm of BA for two years is to strengthen unity, transparency and effective coordination within the club’s structures of the Black Africa brand.
In his acceptance speech, Petrus acknowledged the heavenly father for his mercy and blessings that enabled him to be elected as chairperson of BA.
“I am also appreciating the most important stakeholders of BA brand, the supporters, for their unwavering support up to this historical moment. You deserve credit for trusting us with this big lovely brand of our BA,” he said.
Petrus said the immediate task at hand is to unify the BA community into one big family again and to get the club’s regional structures strong and inclusive.
“We also want to play our own brand of soccer which gave us the nickname Lovely Lions and most importantly to attract prospective sponsors,” he said.
The 59 year-old added that the new EXCO will work around the clock to get rid of certain evils that led to the club’s downfalls.
“We will get rid of things like own individuals interest and own echos which dominated the day to day running of this club in the past,” he said.
Furthermore, the chairperson said it was good that they were humbled to this level as one of the most successful brand in Namibia and in the entire African region as whole.
“It is for us to go back to the BA culture which is what other teams can do we do better. We have the resilience and have that never die spirit again,” he said.
BA will be currently playing in the Khomas Region Third Division, and the chairperson emphasised that the club’s goal is to dominate league and climb the latter back to the Namibian Premier League.
“Our goals will be build on three pillars, which is patience from our supporters, partnership with our supporters to reach these goals and pushing ourselves to the limit for success,” he said.
Petrus is not new to BA, he played for the team under 15 during 1983 to 84 before he was promoted to the senior team in 1985 premier league.
He made his debut against African Stars when they were protesting against the then white administration who wanted to take over football in the country.
He played a prominent role during his playing days at BA and contributed to team’s victories in major cups competitions.
“I was playing as forward and attacking midfielder, I won Mainstay Cup, Metropolitan Cup, GPS Cup, and Castle Classic Cup. I also won the league and played for Suid Wes team in 1988 which was a national team during that period,” he said, adding that he was involved inthe club supporters club management before his appointment as chairperson.
Petrus also made a short stint at Spoilers when he broke his leg but returned to BA and ended his career there.
The team PRO, Kandundu shared with New Era Sports that the team contacted trials last week and looking forward for the new season.
“We are registering players, the registration process was extended for a week and that will enable us to have everything inact,” he said.
Kandundu added that the head coach position, team manager and the entire technical team will be announced in due course.
“We have received six names for the coaching job and we will announce when selection is done,” he said among others.
The current term office is set to end after two years once everything in place at the glamor club.
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