Royal Leopards head coach Edwin Matsebula said his team is ready to face Namibia’s Young African in the preliminary round of the CAF Champions League, despite having little information about the Namibian outfit.
Young African were drawn against the Eswatini champions for the first leg, slated for 19-21 September 2025.
The return leg is set for 26-28 September.
The aggregate winner will advance to the second preliminary round, scheduled for 17-19 and 24-26 October, before the group stage kicks off on 21 November.
Young African campaigned in the Debmarine Namibia Premiership and finished second in the previous league season.
Matsebula welcomed the draw but admitted that the lack of details on Young African’s style of play presents a challenge.
“This is one of the toughest draws. We don’t know their weaknesses or strengths, so it’s up to us to prepare early and do proper research. However, we remain ready for them and believe in our players. I’m sure we can get a result and advance,” he said.
Royal Leopards are no strangers to continental competition, having reached the CAF Confederation Cup group stages in 2022.
However, Matsebula said they will take nothing for granted.
“I think there is no weak team in the CAF competition. Every opponent is tough and depends on the preparation. We don’t take them lightly. We have a massive respect for them. We are looking forward to the match next month,” he stated.
On the other side, Young African head coach Maleagi Ngarizemo admitted that his team also knows little about the Eswatini champions.
“They are an unknown team for us, but we are happy with the draw. The club is buzzing with excitement as we prepare for this historic encounter. We understand the magnitude of the challenge, but we are committed to giving our absolute best,” he said.
Ngarizemo added that while Young African have never featured in the CAF Competition before, they will approach the tie with respect and focus.
“We respect their achievements and will not underestimate them. Our preparations will be intense, focused and strategic to ensure we overcome the challenge they present,” he said.
Vipers test
Meanwhile, fellow Namibian side African Stars will face Uganda’s Vipers in the CAF Champions League preliminary round.
The first leg is set for 19-21 September in Kampala at the 20 000-seater St. Mary’s Stadium.
The return leg is slated for Botswana or South Africa a week later. The winner will square off against Power Dynamos of Zambia or Côte d’Ivoire’s ASEC Mimosas in the next round.
The Katutura outfit qualified for the CAF Champions League preliminary rounds after winning the Debmarine Namibia Premiership with 58 points.
Stars chairman Salomo Hei welcomed the draw.
He said previous experience in Uganda gives them confidence.
“It’s not the worst thing to happen to us. We’ve played in Uganda before and learned a lot, even though we lost last time. The upcoming four-club tournament will also help prepare us for both the league and CAF competition,” Hei said.
Meanwhile, Vipers head coach and Belgian-born Ivan Minnaert, in a recent interview with Uganda publication The Monitor, acknowledged his opponent.
He said the match would be a tough encounter.
“We have a couple of new players in the fold. They have come at the right time. I believe, heading into the tough encounter, our new signings will play a huge role in ensuring we progress to the second round. I know it will not be an easy task, but we have to take on it,” he added.
African Stars last played in Uganda during the 2022/23 CAF Champions League qualifiers, losing narrowly to SC Villa.
Prize money
In a major development, CAF recently announced that teams participating in the first two rounds of the Champions League and Confederation Cup will each receive US$100 000 (about N$1.7 million), up from the previous N$850 000.
Hei welcomed the increase, noting the high costs of competing on the continent.
“It’s a good move by CAF. We have to host games across borders and travel for fixtures, so the extra funding will make a difference,” he said.
Ngarizemo said funding has always been Young African’s biggest obstacle to competing at this level.
“Now that this is sorted, we should be able to compete every year,” he said.
CAF president Patrice Motsepe recently said the financial boost is part of efforts to strengthen African club football. “We are increasing our contributions by 100% to approximately 130 clubs competing in the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup,” he said after a recent executive meeting.
– Additional information by Nampa and The Monitor
– mkambukwe@nepc.com.na