Stars back to back champions
Football
Their experienced campaigners steered Starlile to win a much tighter race than last year.
The Debmarine Namibia Premier Football League concluded on a high on Saturday as last year’s winner African Stars successfully defended their title. African Stars took on Orlando Pirates in their final match, a must win for both sides.
Under the captaincy of Ronald Ketjijere, Stars were striving for their second trophy in two years, while Pirates on the other hand fought in vain for survival from relegation.
The goalless first 45 minutes at the Independence Stadium went rather quietly, but Stars turned up the tempo as Daniel Salazar opened the scoring, before Willy Stephanus scored a wonderful free-kick to win the game for Stars 2-0.
Stephanus’ strike on Saturday helped him finish as the top goal-scorer (16 goals) with runner-up Prins Rewaldo (15) from Khomas Nampol the closest among his challengers.
Stephanus retained the golden boot award that he also won last season after scoring 20 goals. He also joined the elite club of six-time premiership winners, which included four titles with Black Africa who has since been relegated.
The 32-year-old veteran said: “It was a tough season for us. Ongos and Khomas Nampol really gave us a tough race for the title, but I think the experience on our side helped us persevere.
“I’m slightly disappointed in my second round progress, because I scored 14 goals in the first half of the season and only managed two after that, so I will look to improve on that.”
Ronnie Kanalelo, who was brought in from Unam FC to replace the previous season’s winning coach Mervin Mbakera, was delighted with helping Stars to win the premier league again.
“I came here with 11 matches left of the season. Stars have good and capable players, so I just changed a few things and we took on from there. We played our game and our supporters showed up in numbers. I’m happy we are the champions!”
African Stars walk away with N$850 000 as the winners of the Debmarine Premier Football League. Reportedly, FC Ongos’ second place will be worth N$420 000, while Khomas Nampol will earn N$300 000 and Unam (fourth) N$230 000.
Relegated
Orlando Pirates FC has been relegated from Namibia's Premier League for the first time in their history.
Pirates, who were two-time Namibian Premier League champions (1990 and 2007-2008), will be playing in the Southern Stream First Division next season.
Okakarara Young Warriors, who were promoted last season for the first time, also said goodbye to the premier league after a draw against Julinho FC in their final match.
Life Fighters from Otjiwarongo finished at the bottom of the table and were relegated – as likely victims of their own success after they lost some key players that helped them finish third the year before.
TOP STRIKERS THIS SEASON
1 Willy Stephanus (African Stars) – 16 goals
2 Prins Rivaldo (Khomas Nampol) – 15 goals
3 George Frans (Khomas Nampol) – 11 goals
4 Uetuuru Kambato (African Stars) – 11 goals
5 George Marselinu (Eeshoke Chula Chula) – 10 goals
6 Roberto Rugam (Unam FC) – 10 goals
7 Elago Simon (FC Ongos) – 9 goals
8 Isakar Gurirab (Blue Waters) – 9 goals
9 Junias Theophilus (FC Ongos) – 9 goals