A goal by striker Brouwers Litombo shortly before halftime gave African Stars a 1-0 victory against Hotspurs on Thursday night. From a quick counterattack, Edison Muheau sent a long cross to the far post where an unmarked Litombo scrambled the ball into the net.
A big crowd of more than 2 000 people turned up to watch the match at the Khomasdal Stadium but there was not really much to write home about.
Midway through the first half Litombo came close when he beat Hotspurs keeper Tommy Shilumbu to the ball but his shot was cleared off the line by Tuhafeni Hamukwaya.
Stars had most of the possession, but Hotspurs nearly took the lead against the run of play when Rudolph Helu unleashed a cracking shot, but Stars’ keeper Max Mbaeva pulled off a great save, diving full length to tip the ball for a corner.
Muheua and the speedy Litombo tested Hotspurs’ defence with their quick counterattacks and they combined to put Stars ahead on 42 minutes. Muheua broke clear down the left and sent a long cross to the far post where Litombo stabbed the ball into the net.
Stars dominated possession in the second half, with Nico Andima, Litombo and Heinrich Kazerua all coming close to scoring, but they could not break through.
Shilumbu pulled off a great save from Litombo, tipping the ball for a corner, while he also saved bravely at Ninja Karongee’s feet.
The result sees Stars moving up to fourth position on 10 points, two points behind the leaders SKW, but with a game in hand.