Stellenbosch FC (SFC) have accumulated five points in their opening three games of the 2022/23 DStv Premiership Campaign. A point on their travels against Gallants, a point at home to Pirates and a resounding 3-1 victory over Royal AM this past weekend sees the Stellenbosch based side with a point to prove this season.
After a successful campaign last season which saw the Winelands side finish fourth on the overall standings in the Premiership and first in the DStv Diski Challenge (DDC), resulting in an overall tally across the two leagues – which no other topflight team could beat, Head Coach Steve Barker and his troops were looking to kick start this year’s campaign as strongly as they finished the last.
Just moments before the league kicked off in South Africa, the champions of the 2021/22 DDC – SFC u.21 side were in the United Kingdom competing in the Premier League Next Generation Cup (PLNGC), beating Premier League outfits Nottingham Forest (4-1) and Leicester City (7-2) to claim the Midlands PLNGC.
Off the back of the success many of the SFC Reserves got the nod and earned themselves first team promotions or squad call-ups. The integrated feeder system into the first team at Stellenbosch has proved to be adding incredible value on-field with the likes of Oshwin Andries, Jayden Adams, Devin Titus and Antonio van Wyk, all at the fringes of their teens and all included in the starting line-ups of SFC’s first three Premiership games this season.
Andries who was born in Klapmuts, started playing his football in the local LFA and later joined the SFC Academy. After applying his talent at youth level, he rose to promotion and eventually made his debut in 1-0 victory against Kaizer Chiefs at the Danie Craven last season – the only goal in that match scored by another local, Deano van Rooyen, from Idas Valley.
Andries made his official debut, starting in the backline against Orlando Pirates last week Wednesday and deservedly picked up the Man of the Match award. Three days on, he brought the Stellies faithful to tears when he sealed a convincing 3-1 victory over Top 4 contenders Royal AM FC.
Speaking to SuperSport Andries said: “This is for Klapmuts, Cloetesville and Stellenbosch.” After being asked about the faith in the youth in a post-match press conference, Steve Barker said: “We have the privilege of watching them train every day, we’ve seen what they can do and I’m a firm believer that if you’re good enough you’re old enough.
Stellies have stood by youth and local talent, honouring the clubs objectives to foster home-grown talent, whilst building a team with vast experience, mixing local with international and everything in-between to bring about an exciting brand of football.
