African Stars have etched their name in history as the first-ever champions of the 2025 MTC Maris Cup, securing the title with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Young African, thanks to a clinical finish from Awillo Stephanus.

The idea behind the tournament was simple-bring Namibians closer to their football heroes without the worry of ticket costs.

With free entry, fans only needed to register with Maris to witness the action unfold.

Competed exclusively by the 16 Debmarine Premiership clubs, the MTC Maris Cup was a high-stakes showdown, with a jaw-dropping N$1.5 million winner-takes-all prize up for grabs.

The tournament kicked off in Windhoek, made stops in Oshakati and Mariental, before returning to the Hage Geingob Stadium for the grand finale, where African Stars rose to the occasion.

The final started at a blistering pace, with Young African immediately testing Stars' defense in the opening exchanges.

However, the Stars held their ground, growing into the game and creating their own opportunities.

Their breakthrough came in the 17th minute, when Awillo Stephanus found the net after a perfectly weighted assist from Edmund Kambanda.

Despite their best efforts, Young African couldn't break down a resolute African Stars defense, and the match ended 1-0, crowning African Stars as the inaugural MTC Maris Cup champions.

It was a night of individual brilliance as well.

African Stars FC goalkeeper Mervin "Lukaku" Kasetura was named MTC Maris Cup 2025 Goalkeeper of the Tournament, walking away with N$20,000 for his outstanding performances between the posts.

Meanwhile, 25-year-old attacking midfielder Mbakondja Tjahikika was crowned Player of the Tournament, also earning N$20,000 for his exceptional play throughout the competition.

The coaches shared their thoughts on the match and the significance of the tournament.

The 2025 MTC Maris Cup wasn't just about the trophy-it was about passion, pride, and the power of football to bring people together.

But it wasn't just about the title-it was about the passion of the fans who made every moment electric, the dedication of every player who poured their heart into the game, and the undeniable spirit that filled every stadium.

As the tournament comes to a close, one thing stands clear: this is more than a victory.

It's the start of a new era for Namibian football, where dreams are realized, and the beautiful game continues to shine.