Windhoek: Namibia Premier Football League (NPFL) defending champions African Stars progressed to the second preliminary round of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League with a 2-0 win against Gabonese side AS Mangasport on Saturday: The Namibian champions overturned a two-goal deficit from the first leg to advance on aggregate and set up another meeting with South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) champions Orlando Pirates.

According to Namibia Press Agency, African Stars went into Saturday's encounter needing a 2-0 victory to overturn the first-leg result and keep their continental campaign alive. Goals from Lawrence Doeseb and Liam April at Lucas Moripe Stadium completed the comeback for the Katutura-based side and secured their place in the next round.

The victory also sets up a reunion with Orlando Pirates, who eliminated African Stars at the same stage of the competition in December 2018. Speaking in an interview posted on African Stars' social media platforms, head coach Ronny Kanalelo said he was delighted to see his side progress after what he described as an impressive fightback.

'I saw a writing on a sugar packet at breakfast on the morning of the match: 'Your hopes will become a reality.' And I knew we would make it,' Kanalelo said. He explained that the team had carefully analysed the first-leg defeat and worked on preventing the mistakes that had allowed their opponents to score.

'After the first leg, we looked at how our opponents scored their goals and prepared accordingly. We didn't make costly mistakes in the game. We controlled everything that we needed to control. The intent was there, and the willingness to win was also there,' he said.

Kanalelo stated that the team will now focus on improving further ahead of the next round, while also praising the goalkeeping department for its contribution to the victory. 'Going forward, we will do everything we can to do better, but credit should also be given to the goalkeeper, who had a good game and kept us in the game,' he stated.

African Stars will face Orlando Pirates on 16 October 2026 in what promises to be another difficult test for the Namibian champions. The two sides previously met in the CAF Champions League in December 2018. African Stars held Pirates to a goalless draw in the first leg before losing the return encounter 1-0, ending their campaign at the same stage.