Stellenbosch FC’s Bafana Bafana quartet will be playing the sheet anchor role for their CAF Confederation Cup tie against Nsingizini Hotspurs at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban tomorrow afternoon.
Two days ago, Jayden Adams, Fawaaz Basadien, Athenkosi Mcaba and Devin Titus were all named in the preliminary Bafana squad for next month’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Uganda and South Sudan.
This quartet has formed the backbone of the Stellenbosch squad, which is facing a challenging period after the club lost their captain Deano van Rooyen and their prolific striker Iqraam Rayners.
On top of that, their training sessions have been curtailed because of unsuitable conditions following weeks of heavy rainfall in the Western Cape.
There is also the added test of playing home matches in Durban instead of Cape Town.
Of late, Stellenbosch have been without their Ivorian defender Ismael Touré, who handed in a transfer request.
Touré had an impressive debut season with Stellenbosch last term, when he earned five Player-of-the-Match awards.
He has been aware of the interest shown by the Soweto glamour clubs, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. However, Stellenbosch will not look at offers from local clubs to part with his services. Instead, they will entertain interest from teams abroad.
Touré has been training with the reserve side in recent weeks.
Despite the comings and goings at the Winelands outfit, coach Steve Barker has remained calm and has been working hard to produce a squad ready to face massive challenges on several fronts this season.
Stellenbosch started the new season well with a 3-1 MTN8 quarter-final win over TS Galaxy at Danie Craven Stadium and then a 3-0 Confed Cup victory over Hotspurs at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Tomorrow, they will be back in Durban for the Confederation Cup first preliminary round, second leg tie against eSwatini opponents Hotspurs.
“We would like to get past the first preliminary round. The players have shown good focus and energy,” Barker said.
“Mentally we are well prepared. In the first leg, the players showed good desire.
“The players know that playing in the Confederation Cup is a recognition of a good season to finish in a CAF spot. We want to do well.”
Straight from the training ground 🫡 pic.twitter.com/yaBd4M94Q9
The loss of key players has added to the pressure on Stellies, but Barker is banking on the squad’s resilience.
“Losing key players is never easy, but at the same time, it provides opportunities for others. One of our key factors as a football club is our resilience,” said Barker.
“We can bounce back after a setback. This group of young, talented footballers want to enjoy football and be successful. It has been a great response from the players as life continues (without our stars).
“We will find different ways without those players to win football matches. We won against Galaxy and reached the (MTN8) semi-finals.
“Thanks to the positivity, we are one step away from the next round of the Confederation Cup with a three-goal aggregate lead.”
Meanwhile, Stellenbosch FC announced last night that star striker Rayners has officially joined Masandawana after “Mamelodi Sundowns triggered a buy-out clause in his contract”.
Iqraam Rayners has completed a permanent transfer to Mamelodi Sundowns after a buy-out clause in his contract was triggered.
— Stellenbosch FC (@StellenboschFC) August 22, 2024
We would like to thank Iqraam for his service and wish him all the best in the next chapter of his career.
Read the full statement below ↓
“We are proud of how we as a club helped reignite Iqraam’s career, and for providing him the platform to become a full international with Bafana Bafana,” Stellenbosch FC CEO Rob Benadie said.
“Since rejoining Stellenbosch, Iqraam has developed into one of the country’s leading strikers, and his goal-scoring return played a massive role in our recent success.
“We have the utmost gratitude for his immense contributions, and wish him all the best as he embarks on this next chapter of his career.”