Acid test for Stars
Acid test for Stars

Acid test for Stars

African Stars and Kampala Capital City Authority FC will battle it out for a place in the next preliminary round of the CAF Champions League.
Jesse Kauraisa
African Stars face a titanic battle today against Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) FC in the second leg of their CAF Champions League preliminary match in Uganda.

The match will kick off at 16:00 and Stars can expect a hostile reception at the Phillip Omondi Stadium in Kampala, Uganda.

In their favour is the fact that they are leading 3-2 after the first leg played in Windhoek, but it will surely be an uphill battle to keep their opponents at bay.

Stars are aware of what is at stake - a place in the next stage of the competition.

A 0-0 stalemate or victory will be enough to clinch this, while they will have to score enough away goals, in the event of a draw, to eliminate KCCA.

A win for the home team and no away goals for Stars will send them packing,

The teams will go into extra-time if the Ugandan side manages to beat stars 3-2, as both teams would have an aggregate of five goals, with the same number of away goals.

African Stars coach Mohamed Gargo is confident of securing a famous victory away from home.

“I have a good feeling that African Stars will win this match, because the boys have prepared well.

“We came here to this town to play a good match and obtain a positive result,” Gargo said.

The 2019 Standard Bank Top 8 Cup champions appointed the former Tura Magic coach and Ghanaian international in July as their coach, replacing Bobby Samaria.

African Stars finished as runners-up for the 2018/19 premier league season, with arch-rivals Black Africa being crowned champions.

Black Africa failed to raise the required funds for their African safari, which is why African Stars decided to participate in the CAF club competition for the second consecutive time.

Last year African Stars lost 0-1 on aggregate to Orlando Pirates in the first round of the CAF African Champions League.

The team then went on to compete in the CAF Confederation Cup playoffs, losing 1-2 to Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca over two legs.

KCCA FC participated in the CAF Champions League last season, but failed to advance out of their group.

The team then played in the CAF Confederation Cup, where they bowed out during the playoffs to Congo-Brazzaville's Otoho d'oyo FC.

Stars will be expected to play on the counter-attack, while the Ugandan side are likely to control possession in today's match.



The Stars squad is as follows: Ratanda Mbazuvara, Mbemutjiua Mata, Dennis Tjetjinda, Tjiuana Tja Tjatindi, Ivan Kamberipa, Pat-Nevin Uanivi, Edmund Kambanda, Obrey Amseb, Youssouf Ibroihim, Ronald Ketjijere, Marcel Papama, Alfeus Handura, Gustav Isaak, Treasure Kauapirura, Gabriel Kapopo, Chrispen Mbewe, Deon Tjizumaue and Kaejarukapo Katjimune.



Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-01

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