LESLEY TJIUEZA African Stars beat Orlando Pirates by 3-1 in the Namibia Premier League opener at the Sam Nujoma Stadium yesterday evening. The league had not been played for 15 months and fans gathered in their thousands to come and watch football. Goals from Panduleni Nekundi, Marius Kotze and Phillemon Nembele for stars meant “The Reds” got off to a flyer. Edwin Korukuve was the first to test the Pirates' goal but his shot hit the side netting of Ivan Hoeseb’s territory. Former UNAM talisman Panduleni Nekundi then registered the first goal of the 2017/18 season after Stars had initially hit the crossbar. What ensued, was a battle of concentration as Stars showed better fitness levels as Pirates squandered their chance in the 19th minute. Stars were looking the brighter of the two teams and they then threatened again from the right flank to skip Pirates’ heats a few beats. Stars eventually got their second goal after a nice combo between Brave Warriors Captain Ronald Ketjijere and Marius Kotze, who side stepped a few defenders before unleashing a thunderous strike to make it 2-nil to Stars favour. After that goal Stars just toyed with Pirates. To compound a miserable first half for Pirates, they almost conceded a third without and pressure from the opponents as they showed signs of collapse already. The result at half-time was: Stars 2, Pirates 0 Marcello Haraseb pulled one back for Pirates just before the hour mark. Chances were far in between but the substitute found his first goal for Stars with a rather easy tap in for the third. Stars Coach Bobby Samaria said he was elated at the great start to the game. “I am happy with the win and the fans today showed appreciation to the team.” said Samaria. His counterpart Woody Jacobs was however not happy with the performance. He is looking forwards to turn things around on Sunday against Tura Magic. “Today we were played against an African Stars team that are much better, physically than us. We are now just hoping that our game on Sunday will be better than this.” African Stars will travel to Otjiwarongo for a derby game against Live Fighters, while Pirates will be up against Tura magic on Sunday at the Sam Nujoma Stadium. African Stars Orlando Pirates Lloyd Kazapua Pat-Nevin Uanivi Dennis Tjetjinda Atlas Musasa Tjiuana Tja-Tjinotjiua Engelhard Kahua Ronald Ketjijere Marius Kotze Edwin Korukuve Godwin Jena Panduleni Nekundi Subs Helmut Maletsky Elvis Tjivasera Alfeus Handura Ivan Kamberipa Neville Tjiueza Phillemon Nambele Ambrosius Amseb Coach: Bobby Samaria Orlando Pirates Ivan Hoeseb Riaan !Hananub Innocent Tembo Bruce Goseb Enrico Hoebeb Eddy Mangomou Donovan Swartz Marcello Haraseb Petrus Swartbooi Ronaldo Tsowaseb Subs Wentley Louw John Novengi Amos Iyambo Christin Doeseb Stanley Kamesiepo Nicky Musambani Ivan Makina Coach: Woody Jacobs