Second Cup chance for Stars

AFRICAN Stars have the chance and ability to lift their first ever NFA MTC Cup after their last attempt in 1996 did not go their way, with Tigers beating them 2-1.

With a new generation of players and a top-class coach in Gilbert Raswoka, the red-and-white outfit, which possibly has the third biggest fan base after Orlando Pirates and Black Africa, will have no choice but to grab the trophy. Stars are meeting defending champions Orlando Pirates in the final on Saturday at the Independence Stadium.Kick-off is at 18h00.Pirates have won the competition twice and reached the final three times.Pirates played their first final in the country’s richest competition in its inaugural year in 1990 and lost to rivals Black Africa in a penalty shootout.They won it again in 2001 against Tigers in Rundu, before lifting it again last year against Ramblers at the Independence Stadium.Stars will have the onus of stopping the ‘Buccaneers’ from claiming the title it for the third time when they go into the match as the underdogs.Pirates will be the favourites as the current champions, while they will also have the advantage of a large support base, which is expected to turn out in large numbers for what could be a unforgettable final.Stars ended a place above Pirates in the MTC Namibia premiership which ended at the weekend and this gives them a slight advantage, despite both obtaining 29 points from their 22 matches each.Stars (24) have scored one goal less than Pirates (25) in the league, but this will not be relevant when the two Katutura giants square up in a game that will officially bring down the curtain on the domestic game.Football experts predict that Pirates will have the upper hand in the match after they dismissed fellow premiership contenders Ramblers in the semi-final, while Stars had an easier assignment after they beat first-division outfit Mighty Gunners in another semi played in Walvis Bay last month.With former Civics and Brave Warriors midfielder Congo Hindjou expected to boost the Stars midfield, there is still no guarantee that he will lead the team to victory on the day.Hindjou is regarded as one of the finest midfielders in the country but his level of match fitness is questionable at this stage because he is recovering from a hamstring injury.Namibia Premier League administrator Tovey //Hoebeb yesterday said that there were still outstanding issues such as international clearance that needed to be sorted out before Hindjou can play for Stars.Hindjou had a short stint in the Malaysian premiership late last year.The key to victory will be the form of all the players and the support they will enjoy from their ardent followers.Pirates have shown in the past that they can win matches easily provided their vocal supporters are behind them.Stars also has a partisan crowd, but much will be expected from them to send the message through to their players to capture the N$350 000 that will go the winners’ way.The runners-up will receive N$130 000.Stars are meeting defending champions Orlando Pirates in the final on Saturday at the Independence Stadium.Kick-off is at 18h00.Pirates have won the competition twice and reached the final three times.Pirates played their first final in the country’s richest competition in its inaugural year in 1990 and lost to rivals Black Africa in a penalty shootout.They won it again in 2001 against Tigers in Rundu, before lifting it again last year against Ramblers at the Independence Stadium.Stars will have the onus of stopping the ‘Buccaneers’ from claiming the title it for the third time when they go into the match as the underdogs.Pirates will be the favourites as the current champions, while they will also have the advantage of a large support base, which is expected to turn out in large numbers for what could be a unforgettable final.Stars ended a place above Pirates in the MTC Namibia premiership which ended at the weekend and this gives them a slight advantage, despite both obtaining 29 points from their 22 matches each.Stars (24) have scored one goal less than Pirates (25) in the league, but this will not be relevant when the two Katutura giants square up in a game that will officially bring down the curtain on the domestic game.Football experts predict that Pirates will have the upper hand in the match after they dismissed fellow premiership contenders Ramblers in the semi-final, while Stars had an easier assignment after they beat first-division outfit Mighty Gunners in another semi played in Walvis Bay last month.With former Civics and Brave Warriors midfielder Congo Hindjou expected to boost the Stars midfield, there is still no guarantee that he will lead the team to victory on the day.Hindjou is regarded as one of the finest midfielders in the country but his level of match fitness is questionable at this stage because he is recovering from a hamstring injury.Namibia Premier League administrator Tovey //Hoebeb yesterday said that there were still outstanding issues such as international clearance that needed to be sorted out before Hindjou can play for Stars.Hindjou had a short stint in the Malaysian premiership late last year.The key to victory will be the form of all the players and the support they will enjoy from their ardent followers.Pirates have shown in the past that they can win matches easily provided their vocal supporters are behind them.Stars also has a partisan crowd, but much will be expected from them to send the message through to their players to capture the N$350 000 that will go the winners’ way.The runners-up will receive N$130 000.