AFRICAN Stars set up a dream meeting against Orlando Pirates of South Africa after their 2-1 victory against Volcano de Moroni in the Caf Champions League on Wednesday night.
Stars ousted Volcano through goals by Crispin Mbewe and Gustav Isaak to win 2-1 on aggregate, while Pirates eased to a 3-1 win over Lightstars of the Seychelles to romp to an 8-2 aggregate victory.
Mbewe put Stars ahead with a great goal after only five minutes when he volleyed home a cross by Edwin Korukuve at the near post.
The goal sent Stars’ faithful fans into raptures, but the celebratory mood was quickly dampened when Diaritiana Rakotonanahary equalised for Volcano with a long, deflected strike barely seven minutes later.
Volcano started controlling the midfield with their short passes and Djabir Kamal and Bacar Youssouf also came close to scoring.
Stars’ coach Robert Nauseb was clearly not happy with proceedings and vented his anger from the touchline, and Stars responded with a great goal by Gustav Isaak just before half time. After a fine dribble, Aubrey Amseb sent in a cross from the left and Isaak pounced to smash the ball high into the net.
Youssouf Ibroihim came close to equalising early in the second half but goalie Ratanda Mbazuvara came to the rescue with a point blank save, and Stars responded to create some more chances. Edwin Korukuve volleyed over, Pat Nevin Uanivi headed wide from a free kick and Mbewe missed a great chance when he blasted over the bar from close range.
Stars, however, managed to hold onto their lead to win the match and progress to the next round, but that didn’t deter Nauseb from giving them a tongue lashing after the match.
“I’m not happy at all with the way we played and we just have to thank God for this victory, because we totally played below par – this is not the way we play. If we play our next game the same way then we will lose the game and we were lucky to win today.
“I think the boys were maybe a bit overconfident – it went to their head and they forgot a few things that we worked on that we picked up on the other side. They are good on the ball and patient builders – they will keep the ball and wait for the right moment, but my boys did not stick to their instructions,” he added.
Stars will have little time to celebrate though as they face arch rivals Black Africa in their traditional derby at the Sam Nujoma Stadium on Sunday afternoon, in a match that could have a significant bearing on the title race.
BA have got off to a great start under new coach Paulus Shipanga and last week went to the top of the log for the first time after beating Civics 3-0.
They are still unbeaten on 10 points after four matches and a victory over Stars will give them a big advantage ahead of the festive season break.
Stars are four points behind in fifth place, but with a match in hand, a victory on Sunday will put them back amongst the pace setters.
In other NPL matches this weekend, Orlando Pirates take on Citizens on Friday night in an interesting encounter between two teams with contrasting starts to the season.
Pirates only managed to get a point from their first three matches and dropped to the bottom of the log, but last weekend surprised former log leaders Mighty Gunners with a 1-0 win in Otjiwarongo.
Citizens, on the other hand, are still unbeaten and are currently fourth on the log on six points.
On Saturday, Blue Waters host Mighty Gunners in Walvis Bay; Okahandja United host Young African; Julinho Sporting host Unam in Rundu; and Eleven Arrows travel to Karasburg to take on Young Brazilian.
At Windhoek’s Sam Nujoma Stadium, Tigers take on Civics, while Tura Magic host Life Fighters.
