By Michael Uugwanga
Reigning Namibian league champions African Stars have already secured about N$3.4 million for reaching the second preliminary round of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League after dramatically eliminating Gabonese side AS Mangasport over the weekend.
Stars lost the first leg 3-1 in Gabon but produced a stunning comeback in the return leg, winning 2-0 to level the aggregate score at 3-3 and advance on the away-goals rule.
The first-round qualification earned the Windhoek giants about US$100,000 (N$1.7 million), with another US$100,000 (N$1.7 million) secured after progressing to the second preliminary round.
Stars now face a tougher challenge against South African Betway Premiership champions Orlando Pirates in a two-legged battle for a place in the CAF Champions League group stage.
The stakes are enormous, with qualification for the group stage guarantee- ing clubs a minimum of US$700,000, or roughly N$11.9 million.
Pirates also have a strong Namibian connection through Brave Warriors attacker Deon Hotto, who previously played for African Stars before moving to South Africa.
Hotto went from Stars to Golden Arrows, Bloemfontein Celtic and Bidvest Wits before joining Orlando Pirates in 2020, where he has established himself as an important player.
The tie will therefore carry an added emotional edge, with Hotto facing his former club and several players he knows from his time in Namibia.
Stars will host the first leg in Botswana, with the return match scheduled at Orlando Pirates’ home ground, the Orlando Amstel Arena in Soweto.
The two matches are scheduled for October, with the winner advancing to the group stage.
Despite Pirates entering the tie as favourites on paper, several local football figures believe Stars can cause an upset.
Local coach Errol Damaseb said Hotto’s presence would make the encounter particularly interesting, but believes the better team over the two legs will prevail.
“I am very excited to see Hotto competing against his former team and Brave Warriors teammates. Obviously, I am a Namibian and, as much as I will want Stars to win, I will also be rooting for Hotto because he is a Namibian as well,” said Damaseb.
“But at the end of the day, the better team will always win on the day. So, let us wait and see who will be the better team after the two games.”
Football agent Olsen Kahiriri believes Pirates have the upper hand because of their experience, quality and cur- rent momentum, but warned against writing Stars off.
The Namibian champions will also enter the tie without the coach who guided them through their successful first-round campaign.
Ronny Kanalelo resigned shortly after helping Stars eliminate Mangasport and has since taken over as coach of struggling Betway Premiership side Marumo Gallants.
