By Kuvee Kangueehi WINDHOEK After almost a decade of underachieving, African Stars finally won their first major trophy in ten years when they beat Orlando Pirates 5-3 on penalties to clinch the MTC NFA Cup at the Independence Stadium on Saturday night. After much hype in the build-up to the final, both teams despite creating numerous chances failed to find the back of the net after 120 minutes including extra time, and the identity of the winner was determined from spot kicks. Except for the goals that were missing during the entire match, the tussle had all the ingredients of a great cup final which included a fully packed stadium, an electrifying atmosphere, singing and dancing supporters as well as the royal presence of Chief Kuaima Riruako. Despite Congo Hindjou not being in the line-up, Stars were the first to show their intentions at the beginning of the game and came close to opening the scoring as Johannes Seibeb and Freedom Puriza always looked dangerous when in possession. However, Pirates’ defence was not intimidated by the attempts and absorbed the early attack from Stars. In fact, Pirates looked more likely to score at the end of the first half as former Civics winger Donny Isaacs provided from dangerous crosses from the flank. In the second half Pirates came back stronger and were firing from all cylinders as Patrick Jagger pulled the strings in the middle of the park. The talented midfielder was causing all sorts of problems for Stars and his link-up play with Klas Blom had the Stars’ defence in sixes and sevens. Thanks to the cool head and experience of Mali Ngarizemo, Stars managed to hold on and Ngarizemo showed exactly why he received national team call-up when he cleared the ball from the line. The ball was the best chance for Pirates to score a goal in the entire game and when Etienne Beukes intercepted the ball after Stars’ defence error, he pushed the ball past the Stars goalkeeper but it was not strong enough and allowed Ngarizemo to come from the back to make the important clearance. In the penalty shootout Harry Januarie saved Ngarizemo’s first shot for Stars, to shock the thousands of Stars’ supporters but the referee ruled that Januarie had moved prematurely and ordered the shot to be retaken. In the second attempt Ngarizemo, who was voted Player of the match, made no mistake and scored. Pirate’s striker Enrico Afrikaner equalized for Pirates, while Seibeb put Stars 2-1 up. Stars goalie Mbaeva then started with his heroic performances. Mbaeva pulled off a great save off Milton Nauseb’s shot but astonishingly the referee once again ordered the shot to be retaken, ruling that Mbaeva had moved, and Nauseb made sure with his second attempt. Edison Muheu and George Tsamaseb both scored to make the score 3-3 and when Denis Ngueza scored, Stars took a 4-3 lead. Mbaeva then dived to his left to save Wilfred Coetzee’s shot, while Pat Uanivi wrapped up Stars’ victory when he coolly sent Januarie the wrong way.