An injury crisis at Stellenbosch FC inadvertently threw up a new star on Wednesday as 19-year-old Oshwin Andries made a near perfect DStv Premiership debut for the Winelands club.
Andries was drafted in at centre back for his debut in the first home game of the season against Orlando Pirates at the Danie Craven Stadium after Athenkosi Mcaba and Vusi Sibiya were both ruled out with injury and with new German signing Lars Sobiech still awaiting his work permit.
Stellenbosch had let go the likes of Robyn Johannes, Sibusiso Mthethwa and Alan Robertson at the end of last season and sold Zitha Kwinika to Kaizer Chiefs, which left skipper Mogamad de Goede as their only recognised centre back for Wednesday’s clash and coach Stev Barekr scratching his head about what to do with the defence.
Andries has been used as a midfielder in the DStv Diski Challenge team that won the competition last season but moved to centre back for their recent tour of Britain.
Barker took a gamble on the the teenager which paid off handsomely as he made a stellar debut and was voted Man of the Match.
“He had to stand up, man up and take his opportunity which is exactly what he did,” Barker said after the game
He made only one or two errant passes but otherwise looked to be in complete control and without nerves as he nullified the threat of Pirates’ dangerous Cameroonian striker Bienvenu Eva Nga.
Andries is expected to hold onto his place for at least Saturday’s game against Royal AM before Sibiya is back next week. Mcaba injured his hamstring against Marumo Gallants last weekend and is set to be out for the rest of the month.