A season ending to remember and forget
African Stars were crowned champions of the Namibia Premier Football League for the fourth consecutive season over the weekend.
This triumph means that Stars are still the only club to have won the NPFL title since the league became known under the current name. The previous NPL competition was won four consecutive times by Black Africa (from 2010-11 until 2013-14).
On Sunday, African Stars’ winning moment was however overshadowed by the end ceremony which many described as dull and poorly planned.
Stars claimed the title with 58 log points, while Eeshoke Chula Chula came in agonisingly close with 57 points. The team from the north were left to rue three deducted points in February after they fielded a suspended player.
The new champions only received a dummy trophy and no medals were presented at the final game of the season.
Terry Ujamba of Life Fighters expressed concern over the way things were done at the end of the match.
“Our top-tier football league is in urgent need of fresh, innovative, and progressive leadership.
“A clear example lies in how league champions, African Stars, were honoured today,” Ujamba fumed.
Ujamba felt the approach falls far short of the standards expected at premier league level.
“It is deeply concerning that, after so many years, we still struggle to position the league in a manner that can attract meaningful sponsorship. But the fundamental question remains, how can we expect external investment and corporate confidence when we are yet to master the basics ourselves?”
An African Stars fan who attended the final match was also dismayed at how the final day unfolded.
Rikambura Murangi felt his team deserved more respect following a hard-fought season.
“The team plays 30 matches and wins the league, but then there is no official ceremony after the match.
“We have seen football leagues all over the world and for me this is strange that there was almost nothing presented to the club. Just a funny trophy and no medals is not a good standard set at all,” Murangi said.
From the NFA
Namibia Football Association acting secretary-general Mabos Vries responded that African Stars will be accorded an official ceremony in due course.
“There will be an official award ceremony for the champions and that will be announced in the media in due course.
“As the association we are just happy that the season came to an end and all we can look forward to is how things can get better next season,” Vries said.
Victorious Reds
The champions beat Ongos FC 2-0 in their final game of the season following a lengthy neck-and-neck title chase with rivals Eeshoke Chula Chula FC.
Vevangapi Mbuende scored the opener for Stars in the first half after pouncing on a header from a corner in the first half.
The second goal came from the evergreen Ronald Ketjijere who slotted home from close range to cement their position at the top of the table.
Stars completed the season having scored 45 goals and only conceding 18 in the process.
The champions won 16 of their 30 premier league matches, while losing only four times during the season. Stars were held to a draw on ten occasions this season.
Hei proud
Chairman Salomo Hei praised the players and the entire team for their efforts.
“I am extremely proud of the team for making it four titles in a row.
“This was a great challenge from Eeshoke Chula Chula and we encourage them to continue giving us that kind of competition.
“This is a time the league also moves in a professional direction,” Hei told Sport Wrap.
Top 8 teams
The race for a top 8 finish was also intense on the final day with several clubs still in contention.
The significance of a top-eight finish is that these teams will be invited to compete in a Standard Bank Top 8 competition.
African Stars, Chula Chula, Mighty Gunners, Ongos FC, KK Palace, Blue Waters, Unam and Eleven Arrows will all compete in the top 8.
Relegated
Tigers, Life Fighters and Rundu Chiefs were all relegated to the first division. Tigers’ relegation despite its centenary year awaiting in 2027 was a stunning development.
Some statistics
Most goals scored: African Stars – 45
Most goals conceded: Life Fighters – 59
Most wins: Stars and Chula – 16 each
Most draws: Unam – 16
Most losses: Life Fighters- 17
Best defence: FC Ongos – 17 goals conceded
