Galaxy blocks Stars’ African passage

African Stars will keep plugging away until they crack the CAF Champions League formula, head coach Fillemon Kanalelo said after his side stumbled at the first hurdle against Botswana’s Jwaneng Galaxy in Gaborone on Saturday.

The hosts won the tie 6-5 on penalties after the match ended 1-0 in their favour on the day and tied 1-1 on aggregate to secure a date with Orlando Pirates of South Africa in the next round.

Stars, who won the first leg 1-0 at the same venue a week earlier, missed three spot kicks to Jwaneng’s two as their adventure came to another premature end.

The Samba Boys will attempt to win the Namibian Premiership again and secure another shot at the continental club competition, said Kanalelo who bemoaned a defensive blunder and blunt attack which contributed to Stars elimination.

“We had a very good organisation. We kept them at bay for a very long time. They got their goal through our mistake. So, it was a gift from us,” Kanalelo said of Jwaneng’s 68th minute strike from Omaatla Kebatho to level the aggregate arrears.

“I think we didn’t do enough to get a goal because of the final part, the decision-making, the direct approach when we are in the final part. The shots that we try to take, which is not at the right moment,” Kanalelo said of his side’s shortcomings.

“The project is always the Champions League, so we’re going back. The league will start any time and then the project starts again.”

His counterpart Morena Ramoreboli says while luck was on their side, Jwaneng Galaxy were rewarded for their positive approach to the second leg.

“I think this was one of those matches that one would say it was a nerve-wracking encounter,” the relieved Galaxy mentor says.

“We wanted to score a goal, settle as quick as possible. I’m happy that we managed to get a goal. I really wanted us to win it within 90 minutes, but it was not meant to be.

“We had to go to penalties, but I’m very proud of them. I think they have done well.”

The second CAF Champions League preliminary round is scheduled from 13 to 15 September for the first legs, and 23 to 25 September for the return fixtures.

“Orlando Pirates are our next opponents. Honestly speaking, I think the stress and the focus was on this [African Stars] match. And we have done enough in terms of making sure that we go through to the next stage,” Ramoreboli says.

“We’ll go again, prepare, try our best to make sure that we get positive results. We need to adapt and adjust to every situation we find ourselves in. It’s not going to be an easy match, but we’ll do our best to make sure that we get results.”