Stellenbosch FC emerging as a top club in the elite league

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 By Mahlomola Lefupana


When the 2023/24 season started few could have predicted that Stellenbosch FC will win a domestic cup, finishing in the CAF Inter-Competition spot.

The story of the Stellenbosch FC’s rise in recent years is one to marvel at and certainly one that is changing the landscape of South Africa football. Founded in 2016 after the relocation of Vasco da Gama to Stellenbosch area, they were promoted to the Premier Soccer League (PSL) in 2019. Playing their home games at the Danie Craven Stadium, where they have created a fortress – they recently went 24 match unbeaten. Stellies solidified their status as a rising football team by winning the 2023 Carling Knockout Cup beating TS Galaxy in 2023.

Perhaps Stellenbosch’s biggest decision was to hire Rob Benadie as the Chief Executive Officer and Steve Barker as Head Coach. Benadie has provided leadership and foresight hardly seen in the fast-paced football environment, while Backer has provided technical expertise in the coaching department. Benadie has proven to be a master in the transfer market, excelling in acquiring player for small fees and selling them for big money. The sales of Ashely Du Preez and Sibongiseni Mthethwa to Kaizer Chiefs, Olwethu Makhanya to the United State, Ibraheem Jabaar to Israel and Junior Mendiata to Sundowns have proven masterstroke, making the club more than R40 million in transfer fees. Meanwhile in Barker, they have found a tactician, who has brought stability in the team. He is currently the only coach in the PSL who has been with one team for more than 5 years.

Since the establishment of Stellenbosch Youth Academy in 2019, the club has created a pathway for the youth to play in the professional ranks. More than most, Stellies relish giving the youth opportunity, they have given more young debutants in the league than anyone else. Stellies investment in the young talent from Cape Winelands has already reaped rewards, the Reserve team have won back-to-back 2022/23 and 2023/24 DStv Diski Challenge. The Reserve team are the runners up at the Premier League Next Generation Cup in India, a youth initiative organised by the English Premier League in collaboration with Indian Super League and the PSL.

With the status of being South Africa talent factory already established, the ownership of Stellies are looking for linkages to European market for direct transfer of players. This would add credibility to their already successful talent production model. This season’s performance might have surprised many people, but Stellies era of as an elite club has just begun. 

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