AFRICAN Stars recruited dynamic defensive midfielder Marcel Papama and promising goalkeeper Mata Mbemutjiua to strengthen their push for league and cup double success.
The MTC Namibia Premiership champions on Thursday announced they had signed long-term target Papama from Unam until the end of the season, with Mbemutjiua agreeing a two-year contract from Young African.
Papama could play a part in Friday night’s showdown with Life Fighters should his transfer be completed in time, while his fellow newcomer will have to wait for his clearance from tainted and banished Young African after he requested a transfer.
Stars identified the indefatigable Papama’s industry as the missing ingredient to reinvigorate a sometimes stagnant midfield as they look to challenge on two fronts.
The Samba Boys are also intent on adding the inaugural Standard Bank Top 8 Cup to their cabinet this season. They face Tigers in the decider next month.
“Perhaps the bigger scoop is Marcel Papama. He’s established himself in the national team. He brings new energy to our midfield. He’s the missing piece of the jigsaw puzzle,” the club’s executive director Salomo Hei told reporters during the player’s unveiling.
“Our chairperson has termed this season ‘Operation Vat Alles’, and we are not panicking as we have already reached the final of the Standard Bank Top 8, and we are chasing log leaders Black Africa. We are reinforcing our team by giving these players the chance to unleash their talent,” an upbeat Hei added.
Winning just one of their last three league matches is hardly title-winning form, but Stars will catch and usurp Black Africa to retain the MTC Namibia Premier League, he predicted with conviction. BA enjoy a seven-point buffer over Stars, with the second leg starting on Friday.
“The performance has been of such a nature that we are convinced that we can really chase down Black Africa. Our performance in context, given the hectic calendar we had, is good. We’re not panicking, we’re not in a crisis. We’re absolutely certain that we can retain the title,” Hei declared.
As part of Papama’s deal, forgotten forward Ikuaterua Tjozongoro and Zimbabwean midfielder Godwin Jena move to Unam for the same period.
Stars also sent youngsters Michael Kamuserandu and Romario Gaseb on loan to struggling Orlando Pirates, with third-choice goalkeeper Helmuth Kristy Maletzky allowed to leave after his contract expired.
Following their six-match adventure in the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederations Cup earlier this year, Stars identified Papama, Mbemutjiua and Comoran Ibrohim Youssouf as necessary reinforcements for the remainder of the season.
Papama said he made the move to improve his chances of winning titles with Stars, who defeated parent club Unam in last year’s FA Cup final, and cement his place in the Africa Cup of Nations-bound Brave Warriors squad.
“I’m happy to join a club which for me is the biggest in Namibia. I came for one thing, and that is to play so that I can secure my place in the national team. I will be pushing hard to be part of the team on match-days,” Papama enthused.
“I also came here to win some trophies. It’s a culture here. Ever since I started following football, I have hardly seen a season going by without this team winning a cup. So, I want to be part of that.”
The lanky but agile Mbemutjiua was bought to provide competition for Stars’ number one Ratanda Mbazuvara.
“I very happy to join Stars. I’m grateful for the opportunity to improve myself at such a big club. I will work hard to be in the team for every game in the cup or league,” he added.
