Former SuperSport United defender Lyema Dopolo has left the door open to a return to South African football after completing a move to Namibian champions African Stars FC.
Dopolo joined African Stars after an impressive first season in Namibia with FC Ongos, where he captained the side and helped them finish with the league’s best defensive record.
Ongos conceded just 15 goals in 30 matches, form that caught the attention of African Stars as they strengthened their squad ahead of their CAF Champions League campaign.
“African Stars came after I had a phenomenal season where we recorded the fewest goals conceded in the league,” Dopolo told FARPost.
The move represents another step in Dopolo’s career after the defender spent around nine years at SuperSport, progressing through the club’s youth ranks before making his professional debut in the CAF Confederation Cup at 19. Leaving SuperSport was difficult for Dopolo, particularly after spending most of his formative years at the club.
“It wasn’t easy for me to accept that I would be leaving SuperSport. I had been there for around nine years, so it was difficult, especially with everything that happened when the club was sold and rebranded as Siwelele. But that’s football. These things happen,” Dopolo told FARPost.
The defender, however, believes the move to Namibia was important for his development and allowed him to step outside his comfort zone.
“Taking the step to Namibia was about continuing to grow in the game, developing not only as a footballer but also as a person, and getting out of my comfort zone,” he added. His first season in Namibia proved that the decision was the right one.
LYEMA DOPOLO EXCITED ABOUT CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Dopolo says the transition was initially challenging, but the support of the technical team and his teammates helped him settle quickly. His new club won their fourth consecutive Namibia Premiership title last season and secured the country’s sole CAF Champions League qualification spot.
He believes the opportunity offers a chance to compete for major honours while returning to the continental stage.
“I feel like it was the right move for my career because it’s a club with a strong history, big ambitions and a winning mentality.
They constantly challenge for trophies and have ambitions beyond Namibia, especially in continental football.”
The defender is now targeting a breakthrough in the Champions League with African Stars, who have been drawn against Gabonese side AS Mangasport in the first preliminary round.
Dopolo says the club has repeatedly fallen short at this stage and wants to help change that. While his immediate focus is on African Stars, Dopolo has made it clear that his South African chapter may not be closed. The defender would welcome another opportunity to play in the South African top flight if the right offer comes along.
“Playing top-flight football in South Africa and playing for a South African club is something I would love to do again. But, as I said, it’s football. We grow, and my career took me to Namibia, and that is where I am now,” he said.
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