Stellies assess Gullit, Connor leaves Spurs
THE arrival of defender Maxim Gullit at Stellenbosch FC has been a talking point in Cape soccer circles.
The 22-year-old Gullit is the son of Dutch legend Ruud Gullit and a former youth international for The Netherlands. He previously played for the Dutch second tier club Sportclub Cambuur FC and is presently a free agent.
Stellenbosch CEO Rob Benadie confirmed Gullit's presence at the club.
“Yes, we provided Maxim an opportunity to train with our first team for two to three weeks, and that stint has now ended,” said Benadie.
The final decision on Gullit will probably be the responsibility of coach Steve Barker.
If he wins Barker's approval, Stellenbosch will have to revisit their foreign player quota which stands at five with Andre De Jong (New Zealand), Ismaël Olivier (Ivory Coast), Anicet Oura (Ivory Coast), Salifu Coley (Gambia) and Prince Amponsah (Ghana). One of these players will have to make way.
Meanwhile, all three Premiership teams in the Mother City will want to take advantage of the March 2024 international window as the national team boots up for the two international friendlies in Algeria over the next two weeks.
Cape Town Spurs are in relegation straits, even after an unbeaten run of late. Spurs were undefeated away to leading clubs Orlando Pirates and neighbours Stellenbosch in their last two Premiership matches.
Those results prompted coach Ernst Middendorp to say, “there is one light on in the basement. To take two points from two away games, nobody expected this”.
Spurs have reportedly parted with technical director Sean Connor who was initially brought in after the departure of the previous coach Shaun Bartlett.
Connor guided Spurs to their first win this season at the Cape Town Stadium in November when they defeated Pirates 1-0.
A month later, Middendorp arrived, and an unconfirmed report said he and the Irishman Connor have not been seeing eye to eye. As a result, Connor has reportedly moved on.
Spurs have also parted with 39-yearold defender Clayton Daniels.
Stellenbosch recently roared a championship challenge following their 6-1 Nedbank Cup win over Kaizer Chiefs slayers Milford FC in Durban.
Barker has managed to get the best out of his youthful side which had been rebuilt following the sale of several high-profile players.
Barker has maintained a strong code of discipline and two former Chiefs players, Darrel Matsheke and Kgaogelo Sekgota, have been found wanting.
They have been released. Speculation is that Spurs may have an interest in midfielder Matsheke.