Fight to the death
African Stars are desperate to snatch a win against Raja Casablanca in Morocco on Sunday, so they can advance to the group stages of the massively lucrative 2018/19 CAF Confederations Cup.
African Stars, who left the country on Wednesday, face a do-or-die tussle against Raja Casablanca in Morocco on Sunday in the second leg of their CAF Confederations Cup preliminary.
Stars, who were initially vying for a place in the CAF Champions League narrowly bent the knee to Soweto Giants Orlando Pirates over two legs, and were placed in the Confederations Cup preliminary round, where they were forced to do battle with Raja Casablanca, who are the defending champions.
The two teams played to a 1-1 draw at the Sam Nujoma Stadium last Saturday during their first-leg clash, and Stars at least now have a taste of how the Moroccans play.
The display by the Namibian team, who are the current premier league and Debmarine Namibia Cup holders, has convinced fans that they have a chance of beating Raja Casablanca them on their own turf, while raising the Namibian flag high.
The teams who progress into the group phase of the Confederations Cup are guaranteed at least US$275 000 each, which would be a massive boost for Stars plans to turn fully professional.
Jackie Gertze from the Namibia Football Association (NFA) Women's Desk sent the team a message on social media.
“All the best to African Stars,” she wrote.
Another supporter Hälbigh Villa wrote: “Good luck boys, keep the Namibian flag high.”
Another fan, Johny Tokaa Halinge, also urged the team to make the nation proud. Ebson Tjipetekera wrote: “We are behind you, all the best in Northern Africa.”
Rau Keimuine-Mbaisa predicted on social media that Stars will beat their opponents 3-1.
Giving the media an update on his team's readiness on Tuesday, Bobby Samaria said as coach he would like to win every game and this is the message he is conveying to his players. “I think we did exceptionally well against all odds because no one gave us a chance due to our opponent's pedigree, but we believe pedigree is one thing and playing the actual game is another. What we brought to this game was passion, hard work and a chip on the shoulder and our strategy worked,” he said.
Samaria went on to say that drawing against one of the biggest clubs on the continent is a huge achievement for his players.
“It is not every day you get to play the likes of Raja Casablanca, but we managed. Our football is undermined and taking into account the resources at our disposal we are obviously the underdogs,” he said.
Stars executive director Salomo Hei said recently signed forward Youssouf Ibrahim has not yet had his paperwork cleared, so he is still not available to play.
However, he is part of the squad that travelled to Morocco.
The match will kick off at 18:00.
The African Stars squad is as follows: Ratanda Mbazuvara, Vipua Tjimune, Pat-Nevin Uanivi, Ivan Kamberipa, Dennis Tjetjinda, Engelhardt Kahua, Treasure Kauapirura, Ronald Ketjijere (captain), Alfeus Handura, Aubry Amseb, Tapiwa Musekiwa, Godwin Jena, Image Isaak, Youssouf Ibrahim, Mario Kotze, Chrispen Mbewe and Panduleni Nekundi.
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Stars, who were initially vying for a place in the CAF Champions League narrowly bent the knee to Soweto Giants Orlando Pirates over two legs, and were placed in the Confederations Cup preliminary round, where they were forced to do battle with Raja Casablanca, who are the defending champions.
The two teams played to a 1-1 draw at the Sam Nujoma Stadium last Saturday during their first-leg clash, and Stars at least now have a taste of how the Moroccans play.
The display by the Namibian team, who are the current premier league and Debmarine Namibia Cup holders, has convinced fans that they have a chance of beating Raja Casablanca them on their own turf, while raising the Namibian flag high.
The teams who progress into the group phase of the Confederations Cup are guaranteed at least US$275 000 each, which would be a massive boost for Stars plans to turn fully professional.
Jackie Gertze from the Namibia Football Association (NFA) Women's Desk sent the team a message on social media.
“All the best to African Stars,” she wrote.
Another supporter Hälbigh Villa wrote: “Good luck boys, keep the Namibian flag high.”
Another fan, Johny Tokaa Halinge, also urged the team to make the nation proud. Ebson Tjipetekera wrote: “We are behind you, all the best in Northern Africa.”
Rau Keimuine-Mbaisa predicted on social media that Stars will beat their opponents 3-1.
Giving the media an update on his team's readiness on Tuesday, Bobby Samaria said as coach he would like to win every game and this is the message he is conveying to his players. “I think we did exceptionally well against all odds because no one gave us a chance due to our opponent's pedigree, but we believe pedigree is one thing and playing the actual game is another. What we brought to this game was passion, hard work and a chip on the shoulder and our strategy worked,” he said.
Samaria went on to say that drawing against one of the biggest clubs on the continent is a huge achievement for his players.
“It is not every day you get to play the likes of Raja Casablanca, but we managed. Our football is undermined and taking into account the resources at our disposal we are obviously the underdogs,” he said.
Stars executive director Salomo Hei said recently signed forward Youssouf Ibrahim has not yet had his paperwork cleared, so he is still not available to play.
However, he is part of the squad that travelled to Morocco.
The match will kick off at 18:00.
The African Stars squad is as follows: Ratanda Mbazuvara, Vipua Tjimune, Pat-Nevin Uanivi, Ivan Kamberipa, Dennis Tjetjinda, Engelhardt Kahua, Treasure Kauapirura, Ronald Ketjijere (captain), Alfeus Handura, Aubry Amseb, Tapiwa Musekiwa, Godwin Jena, Image Isaak, Youssouf Ibrahim, Mario Kotze, Chrispen Mbewe and Panduleni Nekundi.
- Additional info nampa
LIMBA MUPETAMI
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