As one of the most active clubs in South African football ahead of the new league season, Stellenbosch will host Golden Arrows at the Athlone Stadium in their first 2024/25 Betway Premiership assignment on Wednesday evening.
Kick-off is at 7:30pm (CAT, GMT+2)
CURRENT FORM
Having played in six fixtures across the board already this season, Stellies go into their first Betway Premiership game on the back of six consecutive victories.
Our league campaign gets underway this week 💪
— Stellenbosch FC (@StellenboschFC) September 16, 2024
🆚 Golden Arrows
🏆 #BetwayPrem
🏟 Athlone Stadium
📅 Wednesday, 18 September
🕙 19H30
🎟️ R50.00 from Webtickets
📺 SuperSport OTT 3 (244) pic.twitter.com/LJPHbWNwm4
Stellenbosch are already in-line to bag silverware for the current campaign after back-to-back 1-0 wins against Mamelodi Sundowns in the semifinals of the MTN8 tournament last month.
The Cape Winelands side have also competed in the CAF Confederations Cup this season, recording comprehensive 3-0 and 5-0 wins against Nsingizini Hotspurs in the first preliminary round of the showpiece.
Big week build-up 💪 pic.twitter.com/Aoni4CndkB
— Stellenbosch FC (@StellenboschFC) September 16, 2024
Stellenbosch last featured in a 2-0 win against AS Vita in their second preliminary round first-leg tie in the CAF Confederations Cup on Friday, the 13th of September.
WHAT WAS SAID
Reflecting on his side’s plans for the season, Stellies coach Steve Barker mentioned that the club could strengthen ‘one or two positions’ in the coming weeks.
“I think we understand where we are as a football club, and we understand, how we want to be, and where we’re going. And I think we do a lot of planning in terms of not just waiting and then being reactive,” Barker said.
“It’s about being proactive, anticipating certain things may or may not happen, but I do think that for us now, the window has sort of settled. It’s just now in terms of, perhaps just, you know, one or two positions that we may be looking to strengthen last.”
In what was new that made headlines in South African football this past weekend, Golden Arrows officially announced Kagisho Dikgacoi as the new second assistant coach to Mabhuti Khenyeza ahead of the new campaign.
“An OG returns to Abafana Bes’thende, back to where his playing career started,” Sekhukhune revealed.
“KG will share his experience and knowledge of the beautiful game alongside Coach Mabhudi and Coach Musa in the upcoming season . Welcome back Kagisho Dikgacoi
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Stellenbosch FC: Ashley Cupido – As one of Stellies’ marquee signings for the new season, Cupido comes in with the reputation of being an emerging talent in South African football. Able to play across the front three, Cupido’s know-how in the 18-yard-box makes him a worrisome attacker for defenders to deal with.
Golden Arrows: Knox Mutizwa – While Cupido is seen as a young prospect, Mutizwa is one of Arrows’ most experienced campaigners currently. The 30-year-old will no doubt be looked at as a player to produce the goods against high quality opposition such as Stellenbosch.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Last five league fixtures
2021/22 Golden Arrows 0-2 Stellenbosch FC
2022/23 Golden Arrows 1-1 Stellenbosch FC
2022/23 Stellenbosch FC 5-2 Golden Arrows
2023/24 Golden Arrows 0-0 Stellenbosch FC
2023/24 Stellenbosch FC 3-0 Golden Arrows