Windhoek:Namibia Premier Football League (NPFL) champions African Stars have parted ways with head coach Gerald Gther after just a month in charge, following the club's disappointing Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League campaign.

According to NAMPA, African Stars, based in Katutura, lost their CAF Champions League second preliminary round qualifier against South African side Orlando Pirates. Gther, who was appointed in September on a two-year contract, oversaw African Stars' second-round Champions League qualifying tie, which ended in a 5-0 aggregate defeat. The Namibian champions lost the first leg 1-0 in Botswana before suffering a 4-0 defeat in the return leg.

Speaking to Nampa on Wednesday, African Stars chairperson Salomon Hei said the club and the coach had mutually agreed to end their working relationship after assessing the team's performance against its long-term ambitions. Hei emphasized the need for the club to operate at a certain level to remain competitive and mentioned that there is often a difference between theory and practice.

Former African Stars chairperson Patrick Kauta also highlighted the necessity for the club to elevate its performance levels to compete against stronger continental opposition. Kauta noted the concerning nature of the defeat, particularly as the team failed to register a shot on target in the second leg, despite fielding what he described as the youngest squad in the club's history.

Kauta expressed satisfaction with the mutual agreement between the club and Gther to part ways, stressing the club's objective to win the league and attract top talent. He mentioned that whoever coaches African Stars must be capable of achieving the club's objectives and building a team that can compete at the highest level on the continent.