In a thrilling and tightly contested 1st Preliminary Round of the 2024/25 CAF Champions League, African Stars were knocked out by Botswana’s champions, Jwaneng Galaxy, after a dramatic two-legged encounter that ended in heartbreak for the Namibian side.
The first leg, held on August 17th, 2024, at the National Stadium, saw African Stars take an early lead, courtesy of a stunning goal by forward Willy Stephanus. The goal came in the 5th minute, setting the tone for a promising start for African Stars. The move began when winger Paulus Aludhilu received a quick throw-in from Thabang Malane on the right flank. Aludhilu skillfully outpaced his opponent and delivered a pinpoint cross into the penalty area, where Stephanus was perfectly positioned to head the ball into the net, making it 1-0.
Despite Jwaneng Galaxy dominating possession with 58% and registering 4 shots on target out of a total of 12 attempts, they struggled to break down the resilient defense of African Stars, who had 42% possession, 3 shots on target, and 2 off target. The Namibian side held on to their slender lead, giving them a slight advantage heading into the second leg.
The return leg, played on August 24th, 2024, at Jwaneng Galaxy's home ground, proved to be a tense affair. The match remained goalless for most of the game until the 78th minute when Jwaneng Galaxy's substitute, Dunga, produced a moment of brilliance. Dunga, who had been brought on in the second half, struck a powerful shot that found the back of the net, leveling the aggregate score at 1-1.
With both teams unable to add to their tally, the match was decided by a penalty shootout. In a nerve-wracking finish, Jwaneng Galaxy emerged victorious, winning 6-5 on penalties. This result ended African Stars' journey in the CAF Champions League, dashing their hopes of progressing further in the competition.
Jwaneng Galaxy will now advance to the 2nd Preliminary Round, where they will face South Africa's Orlando Pirates.
This exit marks a disappointing end for African Stars, who showed great potential and resilience in the competition. Despite the loss, the Namibian champions can hold their heads high, knowing they pushed their opponents to the limit and were only narrowly beaten in the end.
As the team reflects on their journey, they will undoubtedly be motivated to come back stronger in future competitions. For now, their focus will shift to domestic challenges as they aim to continue their dominance in the Namibian football scene.
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