Stars crowned MTC Maris cup champs

Football
Willy Stephanus long range goal enough as African Stars claim 1.5 million prize money after beating Young African in the MTC Maris cup final
Gottrieb Nambahu
  • 2 Days Ago 31 March 2025
The final battle of the MTC Maris Cup took place at the Hage Geingob Stadium in Windhoek on the evening of Saturday, the 29th March.



In a thrilling showdown, Namibian Premier League champions African Stars faced off against a determined Young African FC. Both teams delivered an intense contest, but in the end, there could only be one winner. African Stars clinched the title with a narrow 1-0 victory, becoming the first-ever champions of the MTC Maris Cup. The decisive moment came when Willy Stephanus fired a stunning strike from outside the box, beating the goalkeeper and sending the crowd into a frenzy.



Speaking after the match, African Stars player Godwin Eiseb highlighted the team's preparation. "We've been putting in the work on the training ground. Since Monday, we've been going hard, so I think we deserved the win. We put in the hard work, and now we are reaping the rewards."



Fans in the stands were on their feet throughout the match, passionately supporting their teams. Despite numerous attempts from both sides, the scoreboard remained unchanged until the final whistle confirmed African Stars' triumph.



As champions, African Stars walked away with a record-breaking prize of N$1.5 million, the largest prize money ever awarded in a Namibian football competition, under a "winner takes all" format. The tournament, a first of its kind, traveled across various regions before returning to Windhoek for the grand finale.



Individual brilliance was also recognized, with African Stars' players claiming both the "Player of the Tournament" (POTT) and "Goalkeeper of the Tournament" (GOTT) awards. Mervin Kasetura (GOTT) and Mbakondja Tjahikika (POTT) each received N$20,000 in prize money for their outstanding performances.



Kasetura, after receiving the goalkeeper award, expressed his confidence in his performances. "I knew this one was coming. I'm grateful for my teammates; they made it all possible. First game, second game, I kept clean sheets, and today in the final as well. So, at the back of my mind, I knew it was mine."



The Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Hon. Emma Theofelus, presented the POTT award before the trophy was officially handed over to the champions.



Football fans turned up in large numbers, creating a vibrant and electric atmosphere for the historic event. The excitement extended beyond the game, with a halftime musical performance by award-winning Hip Hop veteran Jericho, keeping the crowd entertained.



With its grand finale delivering high-intensity football and entertainment, the inaugural MTC Maris Cup set a new standard for Namibian football competitions.