Forget local rivalries - Moeti
The Sam Nujoma Stadium is set to come alive with a battle between South Africa and Namibia's finest.
Former Black Africa chairman Cassius Moeti says it is every Namibian's obligation to support African Stars in the Confederations of African Football (CAF) Champions League preliminary round, regardless of which local club they support.
The Reds are set to host one of South Africa's biggest football clubs, Orlando Pirates, at the Sam Nujoma Stadium at 16:00 in the final leg of the preliminary round on Saturday.
African Stars as a club, however, has its own foes which include Black Africa, Tigers and the local Orlando Pirates.
It is a rivalry that has been there for decades, which has seen supporters of this clubs clashing on several occasions. With African Stars the only Namibian team in the champions league, Moeti has urged all Namibians to flock the Sam Nujoma Stadium in support of the 'Reds'.
“Look, there have been local rivalries between many of these teams and their fans probably despise each other.
“The champions league game between African Stars and Orlando Pirates has however outgrown this and is on a national level.
“This is more about Namibia facing South Africa than Orlando Pirates facing African Stars,” Moeti said.
It is for these reasons he believes that every Namibian football lover must rally behind African Stars given that they are representing Namibia and not just their fans.
The two teams played to a goalless draw last weekend in South Africa.
African Stars surprised everyone with an eye-catching performance against one of South Africa's lethal counter-attacking teams.
The team stood its ground despite several scares from the home side in Johannesburg.
The team however faces another test and will have to ensure that Orlando Pirates does not get a vital away goal during the match.
Stars will be booted out of the competition with a draw, while a defeat will also end their dreams of playing in the group stages.
A win for the Namibian side against Pirates will guarantee them a place in the CAF Champions League group stages. “I wish African Stars all the best of luck and hope that they can win for Namibia.
“Playing in the group stages of the champions league will definitely lift Namibia's football profile.”
Jesse Jackson Kauraisa
The Reds are set to host one of South Africa's biggest football clubs, Orlando Pirates, at the Sam Nujoma Stadium at 16:00 in the final leg of the preliminary round on Saturday.
African Stars as a club, however, has its own foes which include Black Africa, Tigers and the local Orlando Pirates.
It is a rivalry that has been there for decades, which has seen supporters of this clubs clashing on several occasions. With African Stars the only Namibian team in the champions league, Moeti has urged all Namibians to flock the Sam Nujoma Stadium in support of the 'Reds'.
“Look, there have been local rivalries between many of these teams and their fans probably despise each other.
“The champions league game between African Stars and Orlando Pirates has however outgrown this and is on a national level.
“This is more about Namibia facing South Africa than Orlando Pirates facing African Stars,” Moeti said.
It is for these reasons he believes that every Namibian football lover must rally behind African Stars given that they are representing Namibia and not just their fans.
The two teams played to a goalless draw last weekend in South Africa.
African Stars surprised everyone with an eye-catching performance against one of South Africa's lethal counter-attacking teams.
The team stood its ground despite several scares from the home side in Johannesburg.
The team however faces another test and will have to ensure that Orlando Pirates does not get a vital away goal during the match.
Stars will be booted out of the competition with a draw, while a defeat will also end their dreams of playing in the group stages.
A win for the Namibian side against Pirates will guarantee them a place in the CAF Champions League group stages. “I wish African Stars all the best of luck and hope that they can win for Namibia.
“Playing in the group stages of the champions league will definitely lift Namibia's football profile.”
Jesse Jackson Kauraisa
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