By Sizwe Ntshololo
Stellenbosch FC says they’re hoping to beef up their squad as they aim to progress to the group stages in the CAF Confedetrations Cup.
The Western Cape outfit beat ESwatini’s Nsingizi Hotspurs in Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday night. The 2-nil win takes Stellies to 8-0 on aggregate.
“We would like to make the group stages of the continental competition. Hopefully, [we can] go deep into a cup competition and give ourselves a chance to defend that cup (Black Label) and maybe get into the final of another cup,” says Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker.
Barker says a lot of help in the weekend game came from players elevated from the team’s development structures. ”People like (Lehlohonolo) Mojela; you can see he sort of adding a lot of value. As well as Sanele (Barns) – besides all the other players. And obviously when you make some substitutes at the end and give players like Mdaka an opportunity and he scores.”
While he has big plans for the continental cup, he’s still hoping for a top three finish in the Betway Premiership. This would mean that he and his boys would be able to compete continentally again next year.
It’s the new players that he’s looking for that could help with all that envisioned success. “Right-now, maybe not the most depth that we need but we are working on some additions on the squad.”
Stellenbosch lost a number of players leading up to the current season. Those that left include Iqram Rayners and captain Deano Van Royen. Ismael Toure and Fawaz Basadien have requested to leave as well.
