BARKER’S STELLIES GO 19 UNBEATEN

Although Stellenbosch currently sit 11 points away from Mamelodi Sundowns, the league title still seems likely to end up in Chloorkop for the 7th consecutive time. However, Stellenbosch have every reason to be proud of the progress they’ve made this season as they rounded up their 19th unbeaten match against the Phefeni Glamour Boys last night at the FNB Stadium.

Having finished in 6th place last season using a youthful squad and with minimal investment into the team, Stellies have outdone most of the competition they’ve faced in the PSL this season and even lifting the inaugural Carling Knockout Cup in the process.

Stellies Head Coach, Steve Barker led his men to a 1-0 victory last night with Devin Titus scoring the only goal of the game in the first stanza. Though Stellies put up a standard performance last night, Kaizer Chiefs put up one of their worst performances of the season with the team lacking in movement and decision-making from all parts of the field.

HOW STELLIES HAVE GOT IT RIGHT WITH THE YOUTH  

In 2018, the PSL introduced a reserve league (DDC) which would later cater to the talents of the youth. With South Africa experiencing a continuous downfall in terms of football development, this innovation was much needed in local football and one of the first teams to take full advantage of that was Stellenbosch.

Having won the DDC in 2022, Stellies were prized with a trip to England where they squared up with some of England’s Premier League youth teams in the Premier League Next Generation Cup, a tournament the young Stellies went on to win.

From that Premier League Next Generation winning squad, players like Antonio Van Wyk, Qobolwethu Sibande and the late Oshwin Andries to name a few, were promoted to the first team and formed part of the Stellies team that finished in 4th in the 2021/22 season of the DSTV Premiership, marking their first top 8 finish since promotion into the top division.

But, the journey to this current lived success for Stellies didn’t come easy. The loss of young centre back, Oshwin Andries, who passed away in February 2023 due to a stab wound, left the Stellies fraternity mourning the death of a major cog in the future of the club. It took a lot of mental strength and courage to overcome that period and the club continues to live off the spirit of their fallen warrior. Just recently, Stellenbosch FC lent a hand to the Andries family, who held the ‘Oshwin Andries Memorial Festival’ in Klapmuts in remembrance of the youngster along with the Klapmuts Sports Council.

It's safe to say that Stellies have the goal playing their hearts out for Oshwin every moment they step on the pitch and as this season comes to a close, 2nd place will be the aim for Barker and his men, while they keep their eyes glued onto the Nedbank Cup trophy as they face Supersport United in the quarter finals of the ‘Ke Yona’ competition.