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Black Africa Football Club (Namibia)

Black Africa Football Club came a long way. Its history can be written in gold. Founded as Eleven Congress in 1963, the club encountered a lot of difficulties and endured hardships. There were no sponsorships for all football team in those days. The name Eleven Congress was abusively or derogatorily used, instead of Congress, the club's detractors dubbed it as "Kangaroos". The leadership of Eleven Congress thought enough is enough for people to call their club derogative names.

In January 1964, on one shining and warm Saturday morning a meeting was called by the late Joseph Gonteb to change or find a proper name of the club. Great football leaders of Eleven Congress attended the indaba. The likes of Mihe Joseph //Goagoseb, Gothard "Blackie" Kangootui, Johannes Swartz, Vorster Moetie, Simon Mogane, Adam Lompard, Willem Thomas, Abraham Tsuob and the only lady, Auntie Ricky Fredericks made their presence felt. Players like the Tibinyane brothers and Willem Hans also attended the meeting.

Late Gonteb called on his buddies to propose the club's name but all went silent. Without wasting time Gonteb suggested that the club be called Black Africa Football Club. The name was unanimously accepted. //Goagoseb was officially elected as President and founding chairman of Black Africa, the position he still holds to date. Bob Kandetu and Lampert also had successful stints as chairpersons of Black Africa. Paul Modise has also played a very significant role for Black Africa. He is a co-opted member of the Supporters Club. Black Africa was composed of players from Dobra Secondary School team. Initially the players intended to name the team as Catholic Football Team but did not succeed. The club had to make do with the meager earnings whenever they travel for cup competitions. They had to squeeze players, like sardines in a bakkie (pickup) to reach the venue where cup competitions were hosted. Accommodation was their worst enemy as they had to sleep in classrooms, on the floor with a thin blanket (there were no duvets at the time).

Despite the 'destitute' situations they lived in, the players never misbehaved. One thing for certain on their hearts and minds was their determination and camaraderie the players could display on and off the pitch. Today, Black Africa Football Club has become Namibia's semi-professional football club and one of the current 12 Namibia Premier League teams based in Windhoek. Black Africa is one of the most successful clubs in the history of Namibian football. It is owned by one of Namibia's magnates, Ranga Haikali, and has First National Bank of Namibia as its official sponsor. At the moment the club is among the wealthiest and most widely supported football teams in the Namibia. Black Africa (BA) has played in the top flight of Namibia's football since the inception of the league. In yester years, BA have won a myriad of cups and continued to conquer league titles in modern era. They have won five league titles and a host of other cup competitions in pre and post Independent Namibia. BA is currently in the process to establish youth development structures for Under-15, U/17 and U/19 teams. Apart from football, BA has a component of netball teams for first and second divisions. There are suggestions such as bringing in fist ball, rugby, volleyball, tennis and other sport disciplines to be practiced in BA.

With the Namibian league set to fully become professional in the next two years, BA has already positioned itself to embrace this idea. The club has active and functional structures, headed by a Board of Directors, an Executive Committee, a wing for the fans in the name of a Supporters Club as well as a head office in central Windhoek. The team also boasts with over 20 football players who are on the pay-roll of the outfit, compared to the olden days when players played for pride and honour, while its netball side competes in the Khomas Netball League. The netball side is however a strong force in their respective first and second leagues as they won won back-to-back titles especially during the 90's and in the new millennium.

Black Africa has is a strong and feared force on the football field and continues to make a mark in the league and cup competitions. As its motto suggest, Black Africa Sports Club, which now transformed into a company, strives for success in all its endevours. Former BA coaches Five Hochobeb, late Fossie van Wyk, Bush Bush Mbofolo, Lucky Richter, Dawid Snewe, late Daniel Tjongarero, Bobby Kurtz, Rusten Mogane, Seth Boois, Bobby Samaria, Smithley Engelbrecht, Ronnie Kanalelo, Ali Akan, Ricardo Mannetti.