African Stars Head Coach Ronnie Kanalelo remains positive about his team’s chances ahead of their upcoming CAF Champions League fixtures, despite a challenging preparation period and significant changes to the squad during the transfer window.
African Stars were drawn against AS Manga Sport FC in the 1st Preliminnary round of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and are schedueled to start their Champions League campaign with an away fixture in Gabon.
Speaking ahead of the crucial continental campaign, Kanalelo said he remains confident in the work being done within the team and believes the players can rise to the occasion.
“I’m always positive about it. I have to trust in the work we are bringing to the team,” Ronnie said when asked about the draw and African Stars’ chances.
However, preparations have not been without their challenges. Like many Namibian clubs, African Stars had to navigate the difficulties of assembling a squad and getting players into camp under ideal conditions.
“You know, preparations in Namibia always start in chaos. It’s not ideal, but it’s the norm we are used to,” he explained.
African Stars has seen several key players leave the club following the transfer window, presenting the technical team with the challenge of rebuilding and ensuring the squad remains competitive.
Kanalelo, views player movement as part of the reality of football.
Despite the departures, Ronnie believes the quality within the squad is steadily improving compared to when preparations began. His biggest concern, however, remains ensuring that the players are physically and tactically ready for the demands of Champions League football.
“Losing players is always expected and we have to live with it and move on because players are always looking for greener pastures,” he said.
“The quality is looking better than when we started, but the worry is always the physical and tactical areas as you get closer to the game because players are arriving in different conditions that are not conducive for big occasions like the Champions League.”
African Stars will now look to sharpen their tactical approach, improve the physical readiness of the squad and build the cohesion required to compete on the African stage.
