THE rainy season in the Western Cape wreaked havoc on Stellenbosch FC’s pre-season schedule and forced the club to relocate to Gauteng for training sessions and friendly matches.
Coach Steve Barker said it was unfortunate that there had been so much bad weather and lots of rain in the Western Cape. This weather problem also spoilt playing surfaces, and the club was forced to find an alternative.
Barker was speaking ahead of his side’s MTN8 quarter-final against visiting TS Galaxy tomorrow at Danie Craven Stadium in the Winelands (kick-off at 3pm).
“The pre-season went as well as it could,” said Barker. “Unfortunately, there had been lots of rain and wet weather down in the Western Cape.
“The fields were not in the best state, but we were fortunate to travel to Gauteng. This made for dry weather training and training matches.
“All our new signings fitted in very well at training.
“This is always an exciting stage of the season. If you have a good break and a good off-season then you are prepared for the season ahead. It heightens expectations ahead of the opening match.”
Stellenbosch are coming off the best season in their short history and having made the semifinals of the MTN8 last year, where they narrowly lost on away goals to eventual winners Orlando Pirates.
They have high hopes for this campaign, and they have what looks like a gentle quarter-final draw at home to TS Galaxy, who have never beaten Stellies in 10 previous meetings. Galaxy have been poor on the road in recent seasons.
Lehlogonolo Mojela, one of the club’s new signings, will be going up against his former team. Barker is likely to give him a run in the opening match.
“We are delighted to bolster our attacking line-up by welcoming Lehlogonolo to the club,” Stellenbosch CEO Rob Benadie said.
“He is a dynamic player who we have been monitoring for some time. We believe he will be a valuable addition to our squad who will aid the club in its ambitions to compete on all fronts.”
Last season, Mojela scored a memorable goal against Stellenbosch FC in the 2023/24 Carling Knockout final.
Galaxy will make their debut in the top-eight competition after a record-high sixth-placed finish in the last Premiership season.
There is no doubt they have made rapid strides under German coach Sead Ramovic, who had looked set to leave the club for north Africa ahead of the season but is now staying.
But they battled on the road last term, and this will be another huge test for them. They reached the Carling Knockout final last year and played to a 1-1 draw with MTN8 quarter-final opponents Stellenbosch but lost in a post-match penalty shoot-out.
For Ramovic, the increased prize money is irrelevant. His team wants to improve on last season’s performances in all competitions.
“We are playing here because we want to win, and we don’t think about money. As players, and me as a coach, we like to improve our game, win cups, and this is the main focus if it’s eight or 10 (million rand).”
The participation fee for the teams in the MTN8 has also been increased from R800 000 to R1 million each.