Stars break local transfer record with Katjimune deal

WINDHOEK – African Stars Football Club recently broke the long standing local football transfer record when they agreed a deal to buy Tura Magic midfielder Tjipeta ‘Koko’Katjimune for N$100 000.

Katjimune, who has been with Magic for the past three seasons after breaking through the club’s development team Namib Colts, moves to Stars on a five-year contract.

Civics FC, who bought Congo Hindjou from Black Leopards of South Africa for N$75 000 almost 20 years ago, held the previous Namibian local football transfer record.

This was confirmed by Stars chairperson Patrick Kauta, who said his team is a trendsetter and is on a serious mission to professionalise football in the country.

“Football is big business and must be treated as such. At Stars, this is in line with our vision of making the club professional. We have spent a lot of money this time as we strengthen our team because we have set our eyes on making it to the group stages of the African Champions League (ACL),” he said.

He added that they had acquired the services of another midfielder Marcel Papama for N$60 000, while refusing to divulge the amount of money they spent on their two foreign-based players whom they bought from the Comoros Islands and Madagascar. Papama moves from the University of Namibia to Stars on a threeyear deal.

Confirming Katjimune’s transfer, Tura Magic Chairman Peter Nakurua said they are happy with the deal, as it was conducted in a professional manner.

“We must pay tribute to the two teams on how they conducted themselves during negotiations. Stars approached us, we spoke to the player and he showed interest in the move. We agreed on a fee and payment plan and as Magic we have cleared the boy and wish him all the best,” he said.

He added that the deal shows that his team will continue to develop players, as they are encouraged and motivated to produce more players. He added that more players are likely to leave his club as two or three players are likely to move outside the country, and as a team, they will never stand in the way of players who want to play for other teams. –