The First Division is the second-tier association football league in Namibia. It operates under the auspices of the Namibia Football Association.
| Founded | 2006 |
|---|---|
| Country | Namibia |
| Confederation | CAF |
| Number of teams | 26-39 |
| Level on pyramid | 2 |
| Promotion to | Namibia Premier Football League |
| Relegation to | Regional Second Division |
Organization
The First Division is divided into the Northern Stream (NSFD) and the Southern Stream (SSFD), each consisting of 13 teams from their respective regions.[1][2] For some seasons the Northern Stream has been divided into separate North East and North West streams.[3]
The Northern Stream includes clubs from the Caprivi, Kavango, Oshana, Omusati, Kunene, Otjozondjupa, Ohangwena, and Oshikoto regions.[1]
The Southern Stream includes clubs located in Khomas, Omaheke, Erongo, Hardap, and Karas regions.[2]
Promotion and relegation
The winners of both the Northern and Southern Streams are promoted to the Namibia Premier Football League. The three lowest placed teams from each stream are relegated to the Regional Second Division.[1]
History
The league began operating under the now-defunct Namibia Premier League for the 2006/07 season.[3] In 2021 the league returned from a hiatus of over three years caused by troubles at the NFA and the COVID-19 pandemic. For this special transitional tournament, the league was divided into four streams: Southern, Coastal, Inland, and Central.[4][5]
Champions
| Season | Stream | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern | Southern | ||
| 2006/07[6] | Windhoek Hotspurs | Fedics United | |
| 2007/08[7] | Chief Santos | Windhoek Hotspurs | |
| 2008/09[8] | United Stars | Blue Waters | |
| 2009/10[9] | Mighty Gunners | Blue Boys | |
| 2010/11[10] | United Stars | Monitronics Success College | |
| 2011/12[10] | Rundu Chiefs[11] | Tura Magic[12] | |
| 2012/13[13] | United Stars | Blue Boys | |
| Northwest | Northeast | Southern | |
| 2013/14[14] | Benfica | Touch & Go | Citizens |
| 2014/15[15] | Young Chiefs | Rundu Chiefs | Flamingos |
| 2015/16[16] | Life Fighters[17] | Chief Santos[18] | Young African[17] |
| 2016/17[19] | Unknown | ||
| 2017/18[20] | Military School Okahandja | Julinho Sporting | Young Brazilians |
| 2018/19[21] | Unknown | ||
| 2019/20[22] | Not held | ||
| 2020/21[23] | |||
| 2021/22[24] | |||
| 2022/23[25] | Okakarara Young Warriors | Eeshoke Chula Chula | Khomas Nampol |