1 August 2019, by: Rob Delport

STELLENBOSCH FC PSL 2019/2020 PREVIEW

Stellenbosch are the only new boys in the PSL after winning the National First Division (NFD) last seaon to gain promotion.

The club is on a good wicket at this point in time under the tutelage of Steve Barker. After new owners took over the Winelands club last season, they’ve managed to gain promotion to the ‘big leagues’ ahead of even their own expected schedule.

Rob Delport profiles the newly promoted club for BET Central who join Cape Town City as the second club from the Western Cape in the Absa Premiership.

Steve Barker continues to prove he is not a coach to be underestimated. Having already promoted AmaTuks a few seasons ago, Barker showed he has the mettle to do it again, and build a team capable of competing at the top level. His NFD-winning Stellenbosch side was not a team of big names, but rather a well balanced tactically astute group, which Barker and his technical team moulded into a good football team.

Barker spent eight years building the project at Tuks before a disappointing short stint at Amazulu. He first joined Stellenbosch as an assistant to then-coach Sammy Troughton, and since taking over has been instrumental in creating a strong club environment out in the Winelands. When the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport bought the club last year, things improved for Barker, as he was given full backing to create a strong foundation.

Between them, Iqraam Rayners and newly-signed Waseem Isaacs scored 32 goals in the NFD last season. If they can replicate that kind of scoring form, Rayners and Isaacs, (both came from relegated Ubuntu) will be ones to watch.

But Stellenbosch’s midfield of Junior Awono, Nkanyiso Zungu and Jarrod Moroole could be the stars if the team is to shine. Moroole has deserved this shot in the top flight for many seasons. He is the heart of the team and leaves everything out on the field. Awono and Zungu were superb last season, and if they reproduce or better last season’s form, no doubt they will become hot property.

It will also be interesting to see how Boy De Jong, the newly signed Dutch goalkeeper fits in, and if their other new signing Dillon Solomons can reproduce his stand out performances with Royal Eagles.

The experience of recently recruited Bafana Bafana internationals Morgan Gould and Marc Van Heerden could prove to be vital. While Gould is no spring chicken, he remains one of the best central defenders in the PSL for over a decade, and with good game management, he could be playing a key role for the team.

I can’t help but want 22-year-old Bongane Mathabela to be the next star of the PSL. I’ve long been an admirer of the effortless former Amajita fullback, who after a short spell in the Orlando Pirates youth setup, played for four seasons at Witbank Spurs. Last season after joining Barker from Witbank, he played every minute of Stellenbosch’s title win.

Small in stature, but ‘Chappies’ is one of those footballers who always seems to make the right decision, and always seems to have a little extra time on the ball. At his tender age he’s already played over 112 senior games of football, in tough conditions, and 2019/2020 might be the season he introduces himself to the rest of South Africa.

Barker’s team were pretty consistent throughout last season. Not only in their performance, but also in their selection, and in fact 14 of their squad featured in at least 22 games, with 4 of those players performing in all 30 matches.

They are a strong unit and have rallied up great support in the local Stellenbosch community. They will be tough to beat at home, especially at the intimate Idas Valley Ground (if they can get PSL permission), where they are hoping to play most of their games, once the upgrade at the facility is completed. For the meantime, they will play their home matches at Athlone Stadium.

Based on their NFD season, the squad is still a little thin, especially in certain positions. A few injuries to key players could cause problems, with many of their back up players not really tested at this level yet.

Inexperience could be a weakness, but a lot of their players have been hungry to play at this level, and went out and earned that right on the field.

A solid start, a few goals from their front men, a bit of hard work (and a little bit of luck) and Stellenbosch could easily end up mid-table in their first season in the league, especially if they can make a little home fortress out at Idas Valley (If they can get permission).

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