Stellenbosch coach Gavin Hunt has been singing the praises of the club’s recent acquisitions, including veteran centre Mosa Lebusa and striker Tshegofatso Mabasa.
Lebusa joined the club in January afer having his contract cancelled at champions Mamelodi Sundowns while Mabasa is on loan from Orlando Pirates for the rest of the campaign.
The 33-year-old Lebusa, who spent seven and a half season at Sundowns, has slotted in swiftly at Stellenbosch and already started eight games for the club.
“I think Lebusa has been magnificent for us,” said coach Gavin Hunt in an assessment of the new signings that have arrived at the club in recent months and helped them to climb up the table, away from the relegation zone.
“I got told against my better of judgement that he's not good enough for us, but I went against everybody, and I backed him,” added Hunt.
“He's been excellent. He puts his head on balls, which I think has been a problem here. If you are a centre back you got to know how to head balls. If you can’t head a ball, you’ve got no chance, and he can head a ball.
“I've always liked him from Ajax days, you know. Obviously, he's older and he'll get fitter and we got him for next season too,” added Hunt.
But while Lebusa’s move to Stellenbosch is permanent, the club only have 20-year-old left back Asekho Tiwan on loan from Sundowns.
“He's been magnificent too,” was Hunt’s judgement. “He's created a bit of competition in the left back spot, so it's been very good for us.
“Obviously, there’s lots of things I like left backs to do that he doesn't do, but I mean, these are things to work on with coaching. We haven't had much time. But him coming in, has been very good for us.
“Mabasa obviously getting the goals. I said to my players, we cannot play with Mabasa if you're not going service him. You have to service a striker.
“Now, people say he doesn't do the things that Pirates want him to do, which I understand. He doesn't do that for us as well, but if you service him, this guy can score.”
Mabasa, 29, netted both goals in Stellenbosch’s last Betway Premiership fixture a week ago against Chippa United.