Smiso Msomi
Stellenbosch head coach Steve Barker has revealed that the club is still seeking to rope a few more bodies into his squad to cope with this season’s demands.
The Cape Winelands-based outfit has fallen victim to its success as it keeps losing its players to so-called bigger clubs.
The likes of Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns) and Deano van Rooyen (Orlando Pirates) have recently been followed out of the exit door by wingers Antonio van Wyk, who joined Austrian side SV Reid, and Anicet Oura, who departed for Qatar where he will play for Muaither SC.
It comes as no surprise that Stellies will seek to beef up their ranks considering the demands of this season. Barker’s men will compete in five competitions this campaign, including a debut continental expedition that they’ve already begun in the CAF Confederation Cup.
They also booked their spot in the final of the 2024 MTN8 last weekend and will look to dethrone defending champions Orlando Pirates in that competition.
Barked revealed the club’s plans at a media conference after his side dispatched Mamelodi Sundowns in the semi-finals of the MTN8. The PSL transfer window will close on September 20.
“We are probably about two or three signings away from having enough depth and quality throughout the squad.”
“We have signed a Nigerian right-back, and he’s waiting for his visa … and with the loss of Deano, that’s a replacement I think we need, extra depth in that position,” he said.
“Anicet Oura and Antonio van Wyk have also departed, so we need to replace the two of them with at least one winger-type player, which we will also be in the market for, and perhaps in midfield we need to just shore up our numbers.
“We are probably about two or three signings away from having enough depth and quality throughout the squad.”
Stellenbosch’s rise to become one of the strongest teams in the league in the past three seasons has been a remarkable tale, having finished fourth, sixth and most recently third in the league standings.
In that period, they’ve lost key players every season and neglected the urge to flex their financial muscle but have rather focused on development as their main source of talent.
In the five games they’ve played this season, new signings Bradley Mojela and Sanele Barns and the returning Ibraheem Jabaar have slotted in well, while the likes of Omega Mdaka and Brian Onyango have made notable substitute appearances.
Mojela, in particular, seems to have assumed the responsibility of goal-getter in place of the departed Rayners and it was his goal in the MTN8 second leg in Durban that helped send Sundowns packing.
The 27-year-old, in just his second year in the top flight, is proving why the likes of Sundowns had him on their transfer wish list before he was snatched by Stellies. The club will next be in action on September 14 when they take on AS Vita Club in a Confederation Cup second preliminary round clash.