Vellios relishes pressure as Stellies look to close in on Sundowns

There’s an old saying that states ‘pressure makes diamonds.’

And Stellenbosch FC coach Evangelos Vellios believes his DStv Diski Challenge (DDC) charges relate to this adage.

Stellenbosch blew a big chance of narrowing the gap to two points between them and Mamelodi Sundowns at the top of the DDC when they lost 2-1 to Cape Town Spurs last month.

It looked like they had given Sundowns the advantage of running away with the title. However, under pressure, Stellies were able to bounce back the following week when they recorded an important 2-1 victory over the same Sundowns to keep their chances of winning the title alive.

Coach Vellios believes that the pressure did the most in helping his side get back to their feet.

“It was a massive win against Sundowns, the boys held their nerve, and we got a 2-1 win. Ultimately, the pressure does unbelievable things,” explained Vellios.

“Every game is getting harder; all the teams are fighting to achieve their different objective.”

Stellies are lying in the second spot in the log with 51 points from 24 outings. They are two points behind the leading Sundowns who have 53 points.

Vellios, who led the Winelands side to their first-ever Diski Challenge title in 2022, says they have to keep winning as it gets tougher each week in the league race.

He added: “I know there's pressure. Everyone that is playing against us will play against the best team. But our motivation, desire has to be big than the one’s who are coming to face us.”

Stellenbosch next assignment is against struggling AmaZulu on Saturday morning (10:00) at Idas Valley Stadium.

Vellios is fully aware that Usuthu will not be an easy nut to crack despite their struggles.

“AmaZulu, typically are a team. Over the years have been tough, they have improved their performance of late. They will try to play their identity and we will have to prepare well for this one,” concluded the coach.