Stellenbosch FC are the team to beat in the Carling Knockout cup this season after winning the inaugural edition last campaign. Their title defence will begin with a trip away to AmaZulu at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi on Friday night.
Their last game and visit to Durban left a bitter taste in their mouth as they lost 3-1 in the MTN8 final to Orlando Pirates, owing to dubious officiating.
So, given that they might still be hard done by the loss, they’ll want to revive themselves by defending their trophy. And that’s why MIHLALI BALEKA profiles three players who could have a huge impact in that title defence.
Is this greatest goal in the history of the top eight competition in the PSL era? 🤔#MTN8 pic.twitter.com/tdVV3MxXTk
LEHLOHONOLO MOJELA – ATTACKER
Mojela has had a fine start to life at the Winelands-based club. He has scored six goals across nine matches so far.
His breathtaking strike-rate for Stellies has seen him being only a goal away from matching his tally at former club TS Galaxy last season. While he’s been deployed in a No 9 role by coach Steve Barker, Mojela is flexible and can also play in wider channels.
Mojela has slotted well into the system, so much so, that Andre de Jong has been able to feed off from his services, and vice versa. The Carling Knockout cup should whet Mojela’s appetite for more impressive displays and goals. After all, the Player of the Match walks away with R100 000 following a vote from the fans.
Stellenbosch FC captain Sage Stephens says they’ve put the MTN8 final defeat behind them and are eager to defend their Carling Knockout title.
— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) October 9, 2024
📹 #SABCSport’s @superjourno #SABCSportFootball pic.twitter.com/r2lhG0snRb
SAGE STEPHENS - GOALKEEPER
Goalkeepers are said to mature like fine wine. And that’s duly been the case with Stephens, the 33-year-old guiding Stellies to the MTN8 final and Confederation Cup group stage this season.
Stephens was overlooked for Bafana in the recent Afcon qualifiers, though, with only Fawaaz Basadien representing Stellies in the Bafana squad. However, he has endeared himself to the football fraternity recently, with the frustrating spell he had at arch-rivals Cape Town City having made him to grow in leaps and bounds.
Conceding the three goals against Pirates dented his chances of being voted as the MTN8 Last Man Standing, but the Carling Knockout cup should bring a fresh start. Stephens is good aerially and on the ground. So, having him as the last line of defence augurs well for Barker’s team which is largely made up of youngsters who can be erratic.
Andre de Jong walks away with tonight's Man of the Match award ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/pTuDG1QKGU
— Stellenbosch FC (@StellenboschFC) September 25, 2024
ANDRE DE JONG - STRIKER
De Jong is not a flashy striker, but he can get the job done. He’s had an impressive start to the season, scoring four goals and registering two assists across 11 games. The departure of Iqraam Rayners was expected to derail his progress, but it seems he has found another partner in crime in new man Mojela.
However, he also has an opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Rayners who won a few Carling Knockout cup’s Player of the Match awards last season en route to the team’s triumph. And so having been on the losing side in the MTN8, De Jong has an opportunity of doing even better in the Carling Knockout cup and leading Stellies to a much-needed title defence.
After all, a great showing in domestic football firstly will go a long way in moulding him ahead of their Confederation Cup group stage campaign later in the year