AFRICAN Stars made up for missing out on the Namibia Premier League title with a routine 2-0 win over Tigers to capture the Standard Bank Top 8 Cup at Sam Nujoma Stadium on Saturday.
Creative fulcrum Gustaf Image Isaak and Zimbabwean import Crispin Mbewe were on target late in either half as Stars salvaged a season in which they targeted a second successive domestic double.
“It’s a great feeling. I’ve been to a cup final with Pirates and lost it, then I went to another one with Tigers and lost it as well. But this time with Stars, I won it,” said Isaak, who was a constant menace to Tigers’ rearguard for 70 minutes before being substituted.
Tigers were the early aggressors, with forward Mapenzi Muwanei’s stretching Stars defence with a number of incisive runs.
He also had a close range effort scrambled out for a corner by Stars keeper and man of the match Ratanda Mbazuvara before being forced off with an injury.
Stars weathered the early storm and began to take control of the midfield as Isaak and wide man Aubrey Amseb began to find their rhythm.
However, Tigers had the first shot on target after 28 minutes when left back Mabango Rehabeam surged forward with purpose before firing a rocket at Mabzuvara who punched the ball to safety.
Six minutes later, Isaak broke the deadlock with a delicious free kick on the edge of the box. The topspin on the ball deceived young Tigers keeper David Petersen who tried to adjust his body mid-air but to no avail.
The goal prompted Tigers to push forward, but Stars held firm to maintain their lead at the break.
The second half saw Stars play on the counter with Tigers forcing the agenda. The Ingweinyama were unfortunate to have what appeared to be a legitimate goal chalked off for offside on 55 minutes, when substitute Deon Tjizumuae side-footed home a rebound after Mazuvara could only parry a rasping shot from Absalom Imbondi.
Tigers’ fans, players and technical staff protested vehemently, especially after seeing the replay on the temporary big screen inside the stadium, but their complaints fell on deaf ears.
Defender Kennedy Amutenya was next to come close to an equaliser soon after when his cross-cum-shot narrowly missed the back post.
Having fed on half-chances all match long, Mbewe scrambled home the second goal following a swift counter six minutes from time to leave Tigers deflated.
“The game was a bit tight. The pressure was on us and we started defending deep but we managed to get the win,” said Isaak.
“They [Tigers] were really tough. When you’re in front, you tend to play a bit deep and so they piled on the pressure. But then we got the second goal on the counter attack which was good and killed off the game.”
Stars dominated the individual prizes, with Amseb voted the player of the tournament and Bobby Samaria picking up the best coach award, while Mbazuvara was the outstanding keeper of the competition.
Mbewe shared the top scorer’s prize with Tigers playmaker Llewelyn Stanley and Tura Magic’s promising forward Salomon Omseb.
