Johannesburg:African Stars coach Gerald Gnther is optimistic that his team can recover from their 1-0 defeat to Orlando Pirates in the return leg of their CAF Champions League preliminary-round tie on Friday.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the match is scheduled to take place in Johannesburg, South Africa, on October 23, 2026. African Stars face the challenge of overturning a one-goal deficit to continue their journey in the continental competition.

In the first leg, which took place in Gaborone, Botswana, Pirates secured a narrow win amid high temperatures and an enthusiastic crowd of over 15,000 at the National Stadium of Botswana. African Stars initially struggled but improved as the match progressed, maintaining a goalless scoreline until the break. Despite a strong defensive effort, a lapse in concentration allowed Tshepang Moroni to score the decisive goal for Pirates in the 78th minute.

Coach Gnther acknowledged the team's lack of match fitness but highlighted their strong second-half performance. He encouraged the players to exhibit resilience and called on Namibian supporters to rally behind the team in Johannesburg, emphasizing the importance of giving their all to keep their campaign alive.

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