THE Northern Stream First Division will begin its 2012-13 season on Saturday, League Administrator Bennet Munango said yesterday.

Munango said the money issue involving the Namibia Football Association had been resolved.

Start-up capital and prize money owed by the NFA to both the NSFD and Southern Stream First Division (SSFD) clubs dating back to last season had delayed the start of both leagues.

The first division has been dormant since the end of May.

But while the northern stream is set to begin its campaign this weekend, the southern stream is expected to kick off only towards the end of January or early February 2013.

The first division is jointly funded by the NFA and MTC, which has already settled its portion for the upcoming campaign.

“We expect the start-up capital to be paid into the clubs’ accounts during the course of this week” said Munango.

“They will receive N$15 000 each from MTC for the first leg of the league and the NFA will pay the N$10 000 start-up capital for the second leg.”

The semifinals and final of the NSFD’s pre-season tournament will be played in early January due to a hiccup involving some of the teams, Munango added.

The opening two rounds’ fixtures are as follows:

Saturday, December 8 – Golden Bees v Young Rangers, African Lion v Chief Santos, Julinho Sporting v Touch & Go, United Stars v Cuca Tops, Epupa 11 Stars v Golden Bigs, and Onambula United v Unam Ogongo;

Sunday, December 9 – Golden Bees v Chief Santos, African Lions v Young Rangers, United Stars v Touch & Go, Julinho Sporting v Cuca Tops, Epupa 11 Stars v Unam Ogongo, and Onambula United v Golden Bigs.