Stellenbosch remain calm ahead of Pirates Diski clash

It might be early in the season, but DStv Diski Challenge (DDC) reigning champions Stellenbosch FC are making it difficult not to be picked, once again, among the teams likely to clinch the league title in May next year. 

The two-time DDC champions are sitting comfortably at the top of the log after nine matches with 20 points.

They are three points ahead of second-placed Kazier Chiefs and four ahead of Cape Town City FC, who are third.

With the team sending the core of the players that contributed most last season into the first team, coach Evangelos Vellios said he did not expect the new players to hit the ground running.

Star players such as Langelihle Phili, Thulani Mini and Mervin Boji are no longer part of the DDC team.

They are in the senior side while Boji is playing in the First Division for Cape Town Spurs.

“Every season there’s always new players coming in, while others go to the senior team. But I must say the new players, like Faiz Abrahams and Luke Mbewe, have done well,” said Vellios. 

“The team is doing well, better than what I expected.”

Their positive start undoubtedly signals that they might be among the teams that go all the way and challenge for the title. 

However, Vellios is not entertaining title talks as he claims they still need to learn.

He added they know it is a great incentive to win the league, but they know how difficult it will be.

"Can we do it? Only time will tell. We are four matches from the Christmas recess so we just want to get as many points as we can from those games and see what next year got for us."

Stellies host tricky Orlando Pirates at Malta Park Stadium on Sunday. 

They are heading to this match with the upper hand as they have defeated Pirates three times and drew twice in their last five meetings.

Vellios admitted that Pirates would be a hard nut to crack on the day.

“For us it is amazing that we have lost once against them, but records and history will not have much of an impact when matchday comes. We will try our best to secure a win, but it will be tough.”

© Written by Mthokozisi Mkhonza