A thunderous second half goal by new kid on the block Aubrey Amseb was enough to see African Stars edge Tigers 1-0 to be crowned champions of the 2015 Standard Bank Super Cup match played at the Sam Nujoma stadium on Saturday afternoon.
African Stars, who lost the Supe Cup against Black Africa last season, became champions of the second edition thanks to a shot from 35 metres out by Aubrey Amseb on 74 minutes that dribbed in at Tigers goalkeeper Abiater Nambundunga’s near post.
But before that winner, the two giants of local football, Stars champions of the MTC Premiership and Tigers, Bidvest Namibia Cup winners, kicked off at 14h30 at the cathedral of local football, the majestic Sam Nujoma Stadium, with blue for Tigers and the dominating Red for Stars filling up the stands.
In the first 45 minutes there was nothing much to write home about as the sides cancelled each other out with great tactical play. Stars had coach Bobby Samaria, just announced on Wednesday as their coach, replacing Woody Jacobs who led the side during the previous weekend during the Dr. Hage Geingob Cup. For Tigers, Brian Isaacs was also making a return back in the Ingweinyama hot seat.
Letu Shatimuene, Naftal Petrus, Simon Shikokola and Esko Kavela took on the likes of Marius Kotze, Levis Swartbooi, Riaan Cloete and Bradley Wermann as the action continued to intensify around the midfield area in the first half.
Stars got close to scoring when defender and captain Pat Uanivi rose the highest from a Swartbooi corner kick but his header was off target.
In the second half, another Stars defender Elvis Tjivasera met another Swartbooi corner kick but he too couldn’t find the back of the net.
At the other end, Shatimuene chested down in the box, but Absalom Iimbondi who gotto the ball first was offside. Moments later Shatimuene found space but his shot was too tame to trouble Athiel Mbaha.
But then came a moment of brilliance from man of the match Aubrey Amseb on 74 minutes. Tigers were on the ascendancy but when Stars managed to clear their lines, the long pass from the back found the ever-alert Amseb who controlled the ball with relative ease before he was joined by teammates in attack. But the youngster Amseb decided to take a shot from 35 metres out and the ball kissed the back of the net past the deflated Nambundunga, sending the red sea of Stars supporters into wild celebrations as Amseb ran to embrace his second new coach in less than a month at the same club, Bobby Samaria.
Iimbondi, Benjamin Nenkavu, and substitute Panduleni Nekundi came close for Tigers but Starsheld on for the victory to collect the trophy and a N$500 000 cheque. – nfa.org.na
