• Football

Magnet pursues personal goals

• 1 Week Ago 04 March 2025

Former African Stars coach Ronnie Kanalelo still remains active in football activities.

The legendary former national team goalkeeper, nicknamed Magnet, recently left his position as head coach of African Stars to pursue other dreams – rather than pursue a third Debmarine Namibia Premier Football League title in a row.

After he had helped the team to win the 2023/24 premiership crown as well as the PstBet Namibia Football Association (NFA) Cup, many observers were surprised to hear of his sudden resignation.

“Yes, I left African Stars, but I haven’t left football.

“I am focused on trying to learn about a different model and to improve the skill of the game in a modern way,” Kanalelo said.

Many have assumed that the gaffer has had ways to move forward, but he decided to focus on family matters.

“I am building a house for my mom in Walvis Bay and also making sure that people have things to go about the day.

“You have to dedicate your life to something and this is very important to me.

“There are plenty of opportunities, but I won’t go look unless people want me there,” Kanalelo added.

He still keeps the reasoning for his decision to resign at African Stars mostly personal.

“I love African Stars and the players that I worked with.

“It can never be personal. We just have to decide where our path should be.”

In a recent interview, Kanalelo said people should not believe everything said in the streets or within football circles regarding his departure.

“Stepping down from African Stars does not imply that we have a problem, nor does it mean I am unwilling to work with them. This was a personal decision that I made. The team agreed to let me go. However, when the time comes again, I will return as a coach to work on realising the team’s dreams,” he added.

During his tenure at the club, he built up a record of 34 matches, with 23 wins, six draws and five defeats.

African Stars will play Bucks Buccaneers in the second semi-final of the inaugural MTC Maris Cup at Mariental this coming Saturday. The winner of Unam FC and Young African will become the other finalist.

In the Debmarine premiership, African Stars are currently top of the log with 21 points (six wins, three draws, one loss) from their first ten matches.

However, Young African (20 from 10 matches), FC Ongos (18 from 11 matches), Khomas Nampol (18 from 10 matches) and Okahandja United (17 from 11 matches) remain hot in pursuit.