Smiso Msomi
Betway Premiership side Stellenbosch FC are set for arguably their most difficult season since arriving in the top flight with a lot of matches on their agenda.
The Cape Winelands-based club will compete in no less than five competitions this season, namely the MTN8, CAF Confederation Cup, Premiership, Carling Knockout and the Nedbank Cup.
Due to their fine performances in the league, which saw them finish third in the last campaign, Stellies started the season earlier than most domestic teams. They have been involved in the MTN8 and Confed Cup.
Other clubs with similar schedules are Orlando Pirates, Sekhukhune United and Mamelodi Sundowns.
Goals in back-to-back games from Fawaaz Basadien 💥 pic.twitter.com/6I4zOUnNux
— Stellenbosch FC (@StellenboschFC) August 19, 2024
By the time the Premiership kicks off in mid-September, Stellenbosch will have played at least five matches, igniting complex discussions on the influence it might have on their season. Club head coach Steve Barker has, however, embraced the minutes his team is getting on the field.
The experienced mentor said he would rather have his side play as much as possible as opposed to being out of competitive action.
“It’s got positives and negatives. The positive is we are match-fit and by the time we go into Premiership it would mean we would have played five matches, which means our readiness would probably be on a higher level,” he explained.
“But the downside is that the opposition has an opportunity to see what we’re doing and how we’re using some of the new players that we’ve brought in, whereas we might not have that same information.
“I believe that having played more minutes is more advantageous than our opponents not knowing what we’re doing.”
🗣️ "...Overall I can only be happy and proud. It was our first-ever inter-continental game, so to come away from home and win 3-0, credit must go to the players."
— Stellenbosch FC (@StellenboschFC) August 18, 2024
Read coach Steve's post-match interview ↓
Despite the arrival of Sanele Barns and Bradley Mojela, who have fitted like a glove into his team, Barker revealed that Stellies are not done in the market. And after the losses of defender Deano van Rooyen and forward Iqraam Rayners, the club is more determined to fill those positions.
“The window is not closed. Losing players as we have, we have to strengthen, which we will, and we have targets lined up and hopefully we can get them over the line,” he said.
“It would be unwise of us not to (buy players to fill in positions left by Van Rooyen and Rayners), we’ve lost a really good right-back and we are thin in that position so it’s important (we sign a right-back).
“I think Kyle (Jurgens) will be a great footballer for our country but he’s best as a central midfielder. His versatility has helped us a lot but I want him competing in midfield, which means right-back is a priority for us and losing Iqraam (means a new forward) is also a priority for us,” he added.