It’s a case of the Cape of Contrasting Fortunes in the Mother City, as far as football is concerned.
Both founded in 2016, the two clubs that have given the Western Cape cause for celebration are currently navigating different currents.
Stellenbosch FC have not only distinguished themselves as dynamic players, riding the crest of the wave domestically, they are simultaneously causing waves in inter-club continental competition.
Six seasons since being promoted to the Premier Soccer League, Stellies have stolen the shine from Cape Town City as the Western Cape’s most formidable football outfit, storming to two finals — winning the Carling Knockout and losing the MTN8.
The current campaign has been the most stellar for the Winelands outfit. They are among the four best sides chasing Confederation Cup glory. Today they play the biggest match of their nine-year existence, lining up against Simba SC of Tanzania in the first leg at the New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar.
Coached by South African Fadlu Davids, Simba will play their home clash in Zanzibar because the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam is undergoing maintenance.
In securing the semifinal spot, Stellies proved their prowess, removing reigning champions and four-time Caf Champions League winners Zamalek.
Plugging the gaps
Stellies have remained dynamic despite losing last season’s league golden boot runner-up Iqraam Rayners, magic maker Jayden Adams (both to Sundowns) and captain Deano van Rooyen (Orlando Pirates), a trio integral to their resolute resolve.
Previously, they had lost Ashley du Preez, Zitha Kwinika, Sibongiseni Mthethwa (all to Kaizer Chiefs), and Steve Barker is the reason for that resoluteness. Despite player changes, Stellies have been a picture of coaching stability. Stellies reap rewards of loyalty to Barker, who rewards the club richly by promoting players from within their well-oiled youth ranks to plug the gaps left by sold talents.
While keeping vultures away from Fawaaz Basadien, Devon Titus and Sihle Nduli — for now — Barker has added Ashley Cupido, Sanele Barnes, Lesiba Nku and Brian Onyango to contribute to the courageous Confed Cup semi push.
Though Cupido is out with a calf injury, first choice gloveman Sage Stephens returns in a fight for a favourable result to take to the second leg at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban because Cape Town Stadium is unavailable next Sunday.
While Stellies are scaling dizzy heights in pursuit of glory, City are scraping the bottom of the barrel in a race against time to avoid the dreaded axe. Swimming against the tide in the worst season of their nine-year existence, City are smarting from a stinging 1-0 pasting that places them in a precarious position of relegation suction.
Dancing with the devil of demotion fire was not on the agenda when John Comitis formed the club that rose from the ruins of Mpumalanga Black Aces and established itself as a high flyer.
They haven’t shown enough fight to extinguish the blaze threatening to reduce them to ashes. The revolving door has been in overdrive. After acquiring no less than 10 new players to bolster the squad at the beginning of the season, City fired Eric Tinkler on New Year’s eve. Then, the 2016 Telkom Knockout and 2018 MTN8 champions were 12th, three points above the relegation zone.
Did you see that, John?
Muhsin Ertugral was moved from technical director to interim coach. His tenure began with back-to-back 1-0 wins against Chiefs and Pirates. The bubble burst before he could finish asking “did you see that, John?”.
Eight defeats, three draws and three wins from 14 in all competitions saw Ertugral get the guillotine. Now Diogo Peral has the reins.
But a team with an alarming allergy to victory — City last won on January 17 ironically against Bay — will find it hard to escape. They’re a point above tailenders SuperSport United who’ve played three games less; two points below Magesi who have two games in hand. A goal difference of -16 to that of -10 (United) and -11 (Magesi) is gory reading.
And the playoffs don’t guarantee escaping the relegation quagmire. Should City follow Cape Town Spurs down the relegation drain, Stellies will be left as the sole top flight Mother City side.
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