African Stars appoint Guther ahead of Orlando Pirates Champions League tie

African Stars have appointed Gerald Guther as head coach ahead of their CAF Champions League second preliminary-round meeting with Orlando Pirates.

The Namibian champions were forced to find a new coach after Ronnie Kanalelo left the club shortly after guiding them into the next round. Kanalelo, a former Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper, has since taken charge of Betway Premiership side Marumo Gallants.

Guther holds a CAF A coaching licence, while African Stars’ assistant coach is understood to have a CAF B licence. The appointment gives the club a qualified coaching team for their two-legged tie against Pirates.

The 46-year-old has 28 years of experience across senior, academy and national-team football. He has been head coach of Namibia’s Under-17 side since July 2022, having previously managed the Under-20 national team from 2015 to 2018.

His club experience includes spells with Blue Waters, Blue Boys and Eleven Arrows. Guther also guided Swakopmund Football Club to promotion and has served as the club’s technical director and head coach of its youth academy since 2018.

Guther to work with former SuperSport United defender

Guther will also oversee South African defender Lyema Dopolo, who recently joined African Stars as the club strengthened its squad for domestic and continental competition.

Dopolo came through the SuperSport United academy before leaving the Tshwane club. He spent last season with Namibian side FC Ongos and will now continue his career under Guther at African Stars.

African Stars secured their place in the second preliminary round by recovering from a 3-1 first-leg defeat by AS Mangasport. They won the return fixture 2-0, progressing on away goals after the tie finished 3-3 on aggregate.

Orlando Pirates advanced after beating Mauritian champions La Cure Waves 3-1 on aggregate.

The first leg between Pirates and African Stars will be played at the Botswana National Stadium in Gaborone on Saturday, 17 October. African Stars will use the venue because Namibia currently has no stadium approved by CAF.

Pirates will host the second leg on Saturday, 24 October. The winners over the two matches will qualify for the CAF Champions League group stage.