Orlando Pirates’ next CAF Champions League opponents, African Stars, have appointed Gerald Güther as their new head coach following Ronnie Kanalelo’s departure.
Kanalelo left the Namibian champions shortly after guiding them into the second preliminary round to take charge of Betway Premiership side Marumo Gallants.
The former Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper’s departure left African Stars needing an appropriately qualified coach ahead of their two-legged showdown with Pirates. Güther holds a CAF A coaching licence, while the club’s assistant coach is understood to possess a CAF B licence.
The 46-year-old arrives with 28 years of experience in senior, academy and national-team football. He has served as head coach of Namibia’s Under-17 side since July 2022, having previously led the Under-20 national team between 2015 and 2018.
At club level, Güther has coached Blue Waters, Blue Boys and Eleven Arrows. He also led Swakopmund Football Club to promotion and has worked as technical director and head coach of the club’s youth academy since 2018.
GÜTHER TO COACH EX-SUPERSPORT DEFENDER LYEMA DOPOLO
The German-speaking coach will also work with South African defender Lyema Dopolo, who recently joined African Stars as the team strengthened its squad for domestic and continental campaigns.
Dopolo was developed in the SuperSport United academy before leaving the Tshwane club. He spent last season with Namibian outfit FC Ongos and will now continue his career under Güther at African Stars.
African Stars reached the second preliminary round after overturning a 3-1 first-leg defeat against AS Mangasport, winning the return fixture 2-0 to advance on away goals following a 3-3 aggregate draw.
Pirates eliminated Mauritian champions La Cure Waves 3-1 on aggregate. The first leg will be played at the Botswana National Stadium in Gaborone on Saturday, 17 October. African Stars will use the venue because Namibia currently has no CAF-approved stadium.
Pirates will host the return leg on Saturday, 24 October, and the aggregate winners will advance to the Champions League group stage.
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