Africa-Press – Namibia. DEBMARINE Namibia Premiership log leaders African Stars’ objective is to win the reactivated domestic top-flight before making their mark on the continent, head coach Mervin Mbakera says.
He was speaking to Desert Radio after Sunday’s 4-0 thrashing of Blue Waters at Okahandja to end the year in style.
The unbeaten Stars beat Eleven Arrows 2-1 a day earlier.
These results are in keeping with their overall ambition of becoming a force to be reckoned with in African competitions against the continent’s best.
“We need to test ourselves in Africa, and for us to participate in Africa we need to win the league. We set our eyes on the domestic league, and will eventually be testing ourselves against the clubs in the various Caf club’s competitions,” Mbakera said.
“Our objective is very clear, and with the programmes being implemented at the club in the hope to be a professional set-up, nothing is stopping us from becoming Africa’s great.”
Mbakera expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance in the first half of the season, topping the Premiership log with 19 points, following six wins and a draw.
Stars have impressive strength in depth, having maintained their fast start to the campaign despite a host of injuries.
They have the necessary ammunition to gun out any potential threat as most of their injured players will return.
Emilio Martins,, Coco Katjimune, Raja Maharero and namesake Mbetja Mahareroto are expected back in the fold to bolster the ranks when the league resumes early next year.
“We have quite a number of players on our books, and come next year, they will be ready. We have enough ammunition, and we truly want to conquer the continent,” Mbakera said.
Similarly, Life Fighters from Otjiwarongo have also made a strong start to the season, lying second on 15 points, followed by Blue Waters on 14 points.
Okahandja United (13 points) enjoyed a storming run during the early stages of the league, but have dropped off the pace and now lie fourth.
They are followed by Civics (11), Mighty Gunners (11), Julinho Sporting (11), Orlando Pirates (10), and Unam (10) in ninth place.
Soweto-based Tura Magic are 10th on eight points, followed by Eleven Arrows and Young Brazilians with seven each.
Tigers hover just above the drop zone in 14th position, with five points at recess.
Cup’s kings Black Africa are still marooned in the red zone, despite registering their first victory of the season against arch rivals Orlando Pirates to tally five points from seven games.
Young African in 14th place and bottom side Citizens complete the relegation zone.
Meanwhile, the national football governing body’s interim general secretary, Jochen Traut, said he was satisfied with the hastily arranged top-flight’s progress.
However, he called on the clubs to look for sponsors as the league’s backer does not prohibit clubs from seeking additional investment.
Traut said all players in the premiership have been registered, and only players from the first division, which is also underway, are still in the process of registering.
Some clubs were caught off guard by the start of the new season, with others complaining about insufficient monthly grants, Traut said.
The Namibia Football Association is adjusting the monthly grant, which has been calculated according to the number of kilometres covered.
It is also looking at the possibility of a top-four preseason tournament to kick off of the 2023/24 season, while discussions with potential sponsors for the women’s football league are at an advanced stage.
The women’s league will start at the end of January.
For More News And Analysis About Namibia Follow Africa-Press
