WINDHOEK – African Stars began life as Juvenile Football Club before a group of talented footballers from the Ovaherero and Ovambanderu section threw their weight together as they resolved to call into life one strong team representing the entire Ovaherero-speaking community living in the old location.
The ultimate aim was to challenge the dominance of Tigers, Thistles, Cape Wanderers, Pirates (dolam) Ramblers and Ilili Boys. The club was formed in 1952 under the astute stewardship of young academics Dr Tunguru Huaraka, Charles Kauraisa, Advocate Jariretundu Kozonguizi and Professor Mburumba Kerina.
In the early days, the players used the rocky football pitch of the Rhenisch Herero School as training field. In the absence of league structures, teams would usually engage in exhibition matches while competing fiercely in the popular knockout cup competitions, locally or regionally.
The inevitable merger between Young Standard and Juvenile led to the establishment of what would be known as African Stars in 1952. Initially, these athletes were products of Morning Stars and Heavy Batteries Football Clubs.
However, an exodus of players who left to pursue their academic aspirations at Augustineum High School near Okahandja, left both teams heavily depleted in terms of playing personnel.
Competition used to be very tough under extremely difficult conditions as the Reds battled it out against the likes of Speed Fire and Cherry Boys.
In those days, it was very difficult playing against certain teams because of the hostility that was the order of the day – obliging Stars to rope in the services of three roadies (non-playing members). The trio of Katjingaueja, Bulle and Kanamejo was primarily tasked to keep would-be troublemakers at arm’s length.
The three were real toughies and conversant with the finer points of street fighting.
Strangely, players used to sell empty bottles to purchase playing gear.
It was not until 1974 that Stars finally announced its arrival in domestic football when the Kella Kauta-mentored outfit defeated rivals Black Africa 3-2 in the final of the lucrative Daves Furnishers Knockout Cup at a packed to rafters Katutura Stadium.
Youngsters Karumbu Kahiha and Albert Tjihero netted a goal apiece with improvised fullback Bush Menjengua scoring the other goal. Tjihero’s goal was duped (Ejengo okaserandu nguari pejovi) the red one who was solely responsible for the N$1 000.
Stars were the first club to win a double during the maiden edition of multi-racial football in 1977 – seeing off a stubborn Ramblers side in the National League and Mainstay Cup competitions respectively at a packed Windhoek Showgrounds.
The club also won back-to-back Mainstay Cup titles between 1980 and 1981 followed by another triumph in 1984 to make them the most successful team in the history of the coveted Mainstay Cup. In the intervening years, Stars toured Kimberley, South Africa playing in exhibition matches with great aplomb.
So far, the Reds have won the coveted league title three times in post-Independence – complemented by a record equaling number of four (4) NFA Cup triumphs alongside Chief Santos – certainly no mean feat.
Stars also played friendly matches against the visiting Hellenic, Morokka Swallows, Mamelodi United and Wits University from South Africa. The Reds were the first team to bring to an end the dominance of white clubs – teaching both Sparta and Atlantis a football lesson right in their own backyard.
As the saying goes, after every successful man there is always a woman behind it – the tale of African Stars will be totally incomplete if the names of Suvee Makari and Hilde Tjarera are omitted.
The pair worked tirelessly behind the scenes and contributed immensely to the club’s overall success.
By Carlos “CK” Kambaekwa