‘Starlile’ snap up big names

AFRICAN Stars have made a major coup with the signing of Black Africa midfielder Bradley Wermann and former Ramblers striker Alfred Ndyenge for the new season.

They have also signed up former Orlando Pirates and Hotspurs midfielder Riaan Cloete and former Pirates midfielder Johannes Seibeb, but the signing of Wermann and Ndyenge has indicated that they mean business and will be strong contenders for the league title.
Wermann was the NPL Player of the Season two seasons ago and has been instrumental in Black Africa’s success that saw them winning the NPL title for the past two seasons in a row. He told Namibia Sport that he had initially planned to stay with Black Africa.
“I started negotiating with Black Africa for a new contract, and so I made certain demands but they never came back to me. In the meantime some other clubs like Tigers and Orlando Pirates started contacting me, enquiring about my services, but I turned them down, because I was waiting for an answer from Black Africa,” he said.
When African Stars’ management however contacted Wermann about two weeks ago he decided to enter negotiations with them.
“When Stars approached me, I had still not heard anything so I was open for discussions. We held negotiations for about a week and last week I finally signed a contract to join Stars. I am very happy with the contract, it’s the best that I’ve signed yet in Namibia and I can’t wait for the new season to start,” he said.
Wermann said he believed that Stars could challenge for the title and end Black Africa’s recent dominance of Namibian soccer.
“African Stars is a big club with a big fan base. They are very ambitious and want to dominate Namibian soccer again. They have some very good players and I am happy to be part of them. We have a very good coach an technical team so I believe we can win the title next season,” he said.
Wermann said he appreciated the support he had received from Black Africa while he was there but that it was now time to move on.
“I had a very good time at Black Africa and the supporters treated me very well, but sometimes you need to make a change in life. This is my choice and I will live with it,” he said.

ALFIE RETURNS

Former Ramblers striker Ndyenge, spent a few months with Indian first division club Southern Samity last season, for whom he scored six goals in 11 matches. He said he was negotiating with another Indian Premier League club when Stars made him an offer.
“I was negotiating with a Premier League club in India but we could not reach agreement. Stars however came in and offered me a one year contract and although it’s not as much as I would have received in India, I can live with it. I will be at home and I can always negotiate later with India,” he said.
Ndyenge said he was looking forward to an exciting season with Stars.
“With the squad that Stars have now we can definitely compete for the title and I’d say that Black Africa’s dominance is under threat. Stars now have an experienced squad and I think the pressure will be on Black Africa to make it three titles in a row,” he said.
Ndyenge said he was looking forward to working with Stars’ new coach Ali Akan.
I’m looking forward to working with our new coach Ali Akan. His record speaks for itself and he knows how to get the best out of his players,” he said.

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