Stellenbosch FC may be flying high in the DStv Premiership following Tuesday’s 3-0 away win over Cape Town Spurs, but they also have a superb record in cup competitions in 2023 ahead of a Carling Knockout semifinal at Richards Bay on Saturday.
Stellies have shown a superb reliance in the cup games this calendar year, and have only lost outright once in nine games, which includes some stunning victories.
They have yet to lift a trophy, but given their form – they have won six of their last seven games (D1) in all competitions – must see the Carling Knockout as a superb chance to change that.
Steve Barker’s young side play with energy and skill, with perhaps their biggest obstacle to success handling the pressure the closer they get to victory, which has proved their undoing in the past.
They started this year with a semifinal appearances in the Nedbank Cup, only to lose out to eventual winners Orlando Pirates on penalties after a 0-0 stalemate. That result goes into the record-books as a draw.
After a superb 3-0 walloping of Moroka Swallows in the Last 32, they claimed a remarkable 6-3 win at TS Galaxy, a result made all the more remarkable by the fact that The Rockets simply (usually) do not concede goals at home. They have kept seven clean-sheets in Mpumalanga since that loss.
That set up a home quarterfinal against all-conquering Mamelodi Sundowns, and the visitors were on top when they went ahead via a Lee Langeveldt own goal.
But a brace from Iqraam Rayners turned the tie on its head and set up that semifinal against Pirates, where luck went against them on the night.
Stellies’ league position meant they earned a place in the MTN8 but they had a tricky quarterfinal tie away at SuperSport United.
Despite the loss of several key players, including talismanic playmaker Junior Mendieta, young centre-back Olwethu Makhanya and midfielder Ibraheem Jabaar, Barker’s men managed a 1-0 extra-time victory. They later also lost the considerable talents of Sibongiseni Mthethwa to Kaizer Chiefs.
Stellies faced Pirates again in the semis, losing 2-1 late on at the Athlone Stadium, their only outright defeat in cup matches in 2023.
They won the second leg of that semifinal 1-0 in Orlando to go out on the away goals rule, but it was still a five victory that showed all of their grit.
Which brought them to the Carling Knockout, and another two tough away fixtures. The first was a 2-1 win at Chippa United in the first round, before they claimed a 2-0 win at Polokwane City in the quarterfinals.
They have at least managed to avoid Pirates in the semifinals, but to reach the Last 4 of a third domestic knockout competition in a year is a fine achievement.
STELLENBOSCH IN CUP GAMES IN 2023
Record:
P9 W7 D1 L1 GF18 GA7
Goalscorers:
7 goals – Iqraam Rayners
3 – Andre De Jong
2 – Devon Titus
1 – Ibraheem Jabaar, Junior Mendieta, Kgaogelo Sekgota, Vusi Sibiya, Ismael Toure
Own goal – Zakhele Lepasa (Orlando Pirates)