MATSHELANE MAMABOLO
STELLENBOSCH FC goalkeeper Sage Stephens is pleased that their opening match in defence of their Carling Knockout title, will be played in Durban.
Stephens would also love nothing more than to help his team reach yet another cup final and, more importantly, hold on to their League Cup trophy.
To do that, Stellies must overcome a tricky first hurdle in the form of AmaZulu. The Cape Winelands side are to face Usuthu away. Stellies, however, will definitely feel at home should the match be played at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Speaking at the draw in Johannesburg yesterday, Stephens expressed delight at the fact they will be going to Durban.
“Firstly, I am very happy with the draw and happy that we are playing in Durban. We’ve been playing there at Moses Mabhida often, about four or five times, so we are familiar with the turf and we know what to expect.
“We beat (Mamelodi) Sundowns there (in the MTN8 semifinal) and we did well in the other matches (CAF Confederation Cup matches against Nsingizini Hotspor and AS Vita Club). Hopefully, the game will be at Moses Mabhida.”
Stephens knows, though, that as the title holders, just about every team will be out to beat them, and AmaZulu will not be any different.
“As defending champions, we have a target on our back, and the rest would like to take it away from us. AmaZulu are a good side; they’ve just not had a good start (to the season).
“We have to go as far as possible in the competition. We are going to do our best to defend the trophy,” he added.
Stephens also spoke about the CAF Confederation Cup draw for the group stages in which Steven Barker’s team is set to contest a spot in the quarter-finals against Morocco’s Renaissance Berkane, Stade Malien of Mali, as well as Angolan outfit Lunda Sul.
While they will, of course, strive to have a successful campaign, Stephens is a realist and acknowledges that as rookies, they are going into the continental game eager to garner as much experience as they possibly can.
”We are looking forward to travelling and seeing the rest of Africa,“ he said. ”We are going to Mali and Morocco, and I am looking forward to those two fixtures.
“We are a bit inexperienced with those long travels, so there’s much to be seen and a lot we can get from those; a lot of learning is waiting for us. Hopefully, we can go as far as possible in this competition.”
The Carling Knockout first-round matches will be played on the weekend of October 19 and 20, with the PSL set to release the details of the venues and kick-off times at a later stage.
In a determined bid to defend their title, Stellenbosch FC goalkeeper Sage Stephens reflects on the challenges ahead and his eagerness to gain valuable experience as the team embarks on a new season filled with high hopes and thrilling encounters.