The Amakhosi also beat the Cape Winelands outfit by 3-0 during last season’s round of the last 32.
Steven Barker will undoubtedly have reminded his Stellenbosch troops of their neighbours Ubuntu FC’s heroics against Premiership outfit Amazulu during their 3-2 victory in the King Zwelithini Stadium on Friday.
Stellenbosch has been blowing hot and cold this season in the NFD campaign but can galvanise their season by coming up trumps in this David-versus-Goliath battle.
snl24.com/kickoff has a look at a few players who could prove crucial for Barker and his men in their quest to upset the Soweto giants.
This 32-year old former University of Pretoria goalkeeper is Stellenbosch’s inspiration and mentor. His presence alone commands respect and he leads from the proverbial front. Arubi plays with his heart on his sleeve and is not afraid to put his body in the line.
Chiefs on the other hand also does not have the best scoring form with 20 goals from 23 games. There are 11 teams in the PSL who’s scored more goals than Chiefs so far this season and it will come as a surprise if Arubi gets beaten be another three goals today.
The 22-year old former Santos versatile player has just gotten better since he was recruited by Steve Barker at the beginning of the season. Rayners has become an important figure in the Stellenbosch team with his ability to put his side on the front foot with his pace. He possess good dribbling skills, vision and links up well with his attackers. Rayners will surely create a few problems for the home side and will definitely be a player to watch.
Lark is another attacking player that could produce a spark and a moment of brilliance in any situation. He comes with PSL experience as well after spending six months on loan with Ajax a few seasons ago. Lark can inject urgency and physicality in the final third of the field and should be another candidate that can expose the Naturena-based outfit. He has a good shooting technique and has scored a few crackers in his time – he should not be left unguarded.
Dien (20) is in many ways the glue in Stellenbosch’s side that links defence together with the attack. So young yet so mature on the field and very unflustered. He’ seems to be one of those players that’s all over the field and involved in everything. Very intelligent and can dissect Chiefs’ defence with his vision a good diagonal balls and passing into the space and channels.
This English-born 26-year old has offered Stellenbosch something different this season with ariel ability and robustness. This centre-forward could unsettle Chiefs’ defence with his presence and height alone as there aren’t a lot of his type around hence Chiefs will not be used to this kind of defending. He might to be the most nimble with his footwork but his physicality allows pacey players to feed off the second ball and Barker will consider this as another option to disrupt and hurt the Glamour Boys.