STELLIES ENJOYING A SUPERB SEASON
Stellenbosch FC continue to punch above their weight this season
They are currently on a 21-game unbeaten run, having already claimed the Carling Knockout title in December, and earning a Nedbank Cup semi-final date with Mamelodi Sundowns.
It will be their fourth semi-final in a row, having only been ousted from the last four of the MTN8 on the away goal rule by Orlando Pirates.
Their 1-0 win over Pirates in the second leg of that tie remains the only time Buccaneers coach Jose Riveiro has been beaten outright in a knockout fixture since his arrival in South Africa — a run of 18 domestic cup fixtures.
Stellies last lost 203 days ago, or over six months, when they took the lead against Mamelodi Sundowns away from home in the league, but ended up on the end of a 3-1 defeat.
In the six months and 21 days since then, they have beaten Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, provincial rivals Cape Town City twice, recorded their biggest ever win in the Nedbank Cup — 6-1 against Milford FC, and secured their biggest ever victory against a fellow topflight side in Saturday’s 4-0 home success against SuperSport United, albeit that was also in the Nedbank Cup.
They have 14 wins and seven draws, have scored 40 goals, and conceded only 10. They have only conceded more than one goal once in that run, where they came from two goals down to win 3-2 at Pirates in late December.
It is hugely impressive and all the numbers suggest a team very much on the up. Outside of Sundowns, no other team can come close to matching these figures this season, which is why they are perhaps favourites to take second place and earn Caf Champions League football next season.
Stellenbosch can go five points clear in second place when they travel to Sekhukhune United.
They have won nine of their last 11 away games (D2) in all competitions, with draws at Chippa United and SuperSport, and have actually taken more points on the road (21) than at home (18) this season. Only Sundowns (three) have conceded fewer than their eight goals in 11 away games.
It is hugely impressive all round and with an experienced coach in Steve Barker, level-headed management, excellent off-field facilities and a strong culture around the team, they may not have reached their ceiling yet.
Barker was particularly impressed with how his side dismantled a very strong SuperSport at the weekend.
“I think it is probably one of the games since I’ve been at this football club that I can look at and say that this team has matured, they’ve grown, they’ve developed,” Barker said.