Katutura glamour football club African Stars on Thursday officially launched its youth academy, which will soon be joining the ever-growing MTC HopSol Youth Soccer League.

The African Stars youth academy, which consists of U/15, U/17 and U/19 youth teams, was launched at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Katutura and the occasion also saw the unveiling of new kits that will be worn by the three teams when the HopSol Youth Soccer League new season kicks off.

Speaking during the launch, African Stars director Salomo Hei said it is their obligation as Namibia’s biggest and well-managed club to launch a youth academy that will act as a feeder to the senior team as well as to the Brave Warriors.

Hei added joining the youth league will benefit the youth teams in so many ways. “It’s our duty as Namibia’s biggest club to lead by example in launching our three academy teams. The aim is to act as a feeder to the African Stars senior team as well as the senior national football team, the Brave Warriors. Our teams will be part of the MTC HopSol Youth Soccer League this coming season. The HopSol league is Namibia’s biggest youth league. With these teams, we are intending to be serious competitors and not just participants. I am certain this will also assist us as a team in so many ways,” he said.

Also speaking at the same event, African Stars FC veteran skipper Pat-Nevin Uanivi, who is also the coach for the U/19 side, said he is optimistic about achieving great things with the team as a new coach and hopes to see most of his players graduating to the senior team. 

“I want to achieve so many great things with the team, I would like to see many of the U/19 players making their way to the senior team as well as winning trophies in various competitions. And on the coaching level, I would love to grow as a coach by perfectly refining my skills and working on the teams’ development,” said Uanivi.

- mkambukwe@nepc.com.na