Namibia: Amazing, Warriors Raise Close to N$1 Million At World Cup Campaign Dinner -

Warriors Shine: Namibia Raises Nearly N$1 Million to Fuel World Cup Dream

Windhoek, August 4, 2025 – In a stirring demonstration of national unity, Namibia’s Brave Warriors World Cup fundraising gala raised an impressive N$978,300 in pledges. Held in the capital, the event gathered corporate sponsors, government leaders, football officials and passionate fans, united behind the team’s historic quest to qualify for the FIFA 2026 World Cup.

Presidential Address: A Call to National Cohesion

Keynote speaker President Netumbo Nandi‑Ndaitwah emphasized the role of sport as a catalyst for national development. Describing the Brave Warriors’ qualification effort as “more than a football campaign,” she urged Namibians to rally behind the initiative, calling contributions “an investment in the nation’s spirit, youth and global identity.” She reiterated government pledges to prioritize sports infrastructure under the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6) to support not only football but broader social and economic progress.

The president expressed regret that Namibian football fans have been unable to watch home matches in nearly five years due to inadequate facilities. She affirmed plans to construct multiple CAF-standard stadiums—category 3 in key regions and category 2 across all 14 regions—by 2030, putting a hard stop to playing abroad.

Major Corporate Contributions

First National Bank (FNB Namibia) led the corporate pledges with N$500,000, signaling its confidence in the campaign’s potential. According to FNB’s retail banking CEO Nangula Kauluma, the bank has invested over N$26 million in Namibian sport over three years, including N$7.5 million dedicated to football.
JSB Sports Betting pledged N$125,000.
Namibia Breweries followed with a pledge of N$100,000.

Additional tables auctioned during dinner raised amounts ranging from N$100,000 to N$500,000 from various organizations, reaffirming broad-based support across sectors.

Leadership Remarks and Strategic Vision

The Namibia Football Association president, Robert Shimooshili, described the event as “nation‑building in motion,” highlighting the campaign’s ability to inspire youth and position Namibia alongside global football powers.

Tim Ekandjo, campaign chairperson, outlined the holistic goals behind the initiative. With a fundraising target of N$9.8 million, the funds will cover campaign logistics including travel, player appearance fees, bonuses, and operational costs. Ekandjo emphasized that the gala dinner alone aims to generate at least N$2 million.

Head coach Collin Benjamin spoke passionately about the motivation generated by the fundraising support: “One team, one dream, one nation … these players now know their country is behind them.” He declared the start of preparation efforts including team training and tactical planning to make the dream a reality.

Corporate Innovation: Supporting the Campaign Beyond Cash

Namibia’s Brave Warriors campaign also received a unique boost: Pupkewitz Toyota, supported by Toyota South Africa, donated a Toyota Starlet vehicle valued at N$300,000. The vehicle will be awarded through an SMS competition open to the public (costing N$3 per entry), adding a creative fundraising stream to supplement corporate pledges.

Campaign Context and Significance

Launched in May 2025 by the Namibia Football Association, the Brave Warriors World Cup campaign aligns with the national ambition of securing the country’s first-ever FIFA World Cup berth. The committee—chaired by Tim Ekandjo and including representatives from multiple sectors developed a five‑pillar strategy focused on unity, visibility, financing, performance incentives, and public celebration upon qualification.

Namibia currently stands second in its Group H African qualifying pool, trailing Tunisia. With crucial matches scheduled later in 2025, there is both urgency and optimism surrounding the campaign.

Driving Factors Behind the Momentum

The convergence of government advocacy, corporate generosity, and public enthusiasm reflects a nationwide belief in the transformative power of sport. As President Nandi‑Ndaitwah explained, sports infrastructure and international representation are central to youth empowerment, national morale and economic development.

Meanwhile, sponsors such as FNB and Pupkewitz Toyota are demonstrating how strategic contributions can amplify both resource mobilization and public engagement. FNB’s financial leadership and Toyota’s creative SMS initiative signal a new chapter in how corporate partners support national causes.

Conclusion

Namibia’s fundraising milestone of nearly N$1 million at the Brave Warriors gala marks much more than financial support—it signals a collective resolve to back the national team’s historic ambition. With government plans already underway to build stadiums nationwide, and innovative corporate partnerships adding traction, the nation is coalescing around a shared football dream. As the campaign presses on toward its N$9.8 million goal, it is clear that this is not just about the sport—it is a story of national unity, empowerment and identity. If the momentum holds, Namibia may soon take center stage—not just at the World Cup qualifiers, but on the world sport map.

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