Stars shape new ‘super squad’ 

African Stars have been active in the transfer market with numerous new signings and departures as they prepare for the new season.

Besides that, they have several pre-season friendly matches lined up in preparation of their African Champions League campaign, which gets underway with a tie against the Ugandan champions Vipers SC next month.

Stars have dominated the Namibian footballing scene in the recent past, winning the premiership title for the past three years, as well as the NFA Cup last year and the Maris Cup this year.

Their success has not made them complacent, though, and they have now shaken up their squad as they aim to maintain their supremacy.

Stars chairman Salomo Hei yesterday confirmed several high-profile signings and departures as they gear up for the new season.

“African Stars is a very ambitious club, and our vision is to retain the title while we also want to make inroads in the CAF Champions League. We are refreshing our squad, and I think we have a nice mix of experience and youth to build towards our next super squad,” he said.

Stars had already announced the departure of last season’s top goalscorer, Abraham Tjahikika, to South African premiership side Marumo Gallants, as well as Brave Warriors defensive midfielder Ngero Katua who has joined South African first-division side Highbury FC.

Hei said their talismanic forward Awilo Stephanus is also on his way out as they are currently negotiating with a Middle East team that wants to sign him.

“Awilo will be joining a team in Saudi Arabia – it’s not a done deal yet but talks are at an advanced stage and he is going,” Hei said.

Other players who have left the club include right-back Roma Ndjavera, defender Given Mutuezu, and their Comoran striker Ibroihim Youssouf who has joined Botswana Premiership side Motsudi Centre Chiefs.

Regarding their new players, Hei said national goalkeeper Lloyd Kazapua has rejoined Stars from South African premiership side Sekhukune United, while national defender Kennedy Amutenya is joining them from Botswana Premiership side Gaborone United.

“Lloyd is on his way back to Stars, while we are in advanced talks for Kennedy, who has been training with us for the past two weeks,” he said.

Stars’ former national attacking midfielder, Edmar Kamutuka, is back after a spell with Sekhukune United, while national midfielder Lawrence Doeseb has joined them from Eeshoke Chula Chula.

Other additions are Tigers’ young national defender Tuli Nashixwa, attacking midfielder Vevengapi Mbuende who made his national debut at the Cosafa Cup last year and has rejoined Stars from Unam; Young African winger Johannes Eliakim; and former u17 national captain Tino Guiseb, who was Tuks’ player of the year last season.

Hei said their long-serving captain Ronald Ketjijere will also “continue one more time”.

“Yes, we have lost some high-profile players, but we are refreshing the team with some exciting new players and I think they are more than able to fill those gaps,” he said.

Hei confirmed that African Stars will host a four-club tournament on 23 and 24 August against Angolan champions Petro de Luanda, DRC runners-up AS Maniema, and Lesotho champs Lioli FC.

“It’s the first time in Namibia that three African champions will come together here. Petro de Luanda will fly here directly from Portugal where they are currently on a pre-season tour,” he said.

“We arranged this under the umbrella of the Africa Clubs Association of which we are a member. We are planning to make this an annual event and next season want to invite more teams, maybe eight or 12,” he added.

“This is a first for Namibian football and we hope we can still get corporate or governmental support, because it’s promoting sport tourism and this has never been done before,” he said.

The following weekend Stars will play their old rivals Eeshoke Chula Chula as part of a fundraising drive for the Brave Warriors’ Fifa World Cup campaign.

Regarding their Champions League opponents, Hei expressed satisfaction with the draw.

“We have played a Ugandan side before so there is familiarity and the draw could have been worse; we could have drawn clubs like Mamelodi Sundowns or Al Ahly but we managed to avoid them. Last year we lost on penalties in the preliminary round, so we hope to go one better this year,” he said.

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