Ashley Cupido has saved Stellenbosch's blushed twice in as many games with important goals.
Image: Henk Kruger Independent Media
Stellenbosch have become an open book for opposition teams and, consequently, have been battling to close out games on a winning note, even though they have been the dominant side.
On Friday, Stellies needed a stoppage-time goal from super-sub Ashley Cupido to secure a share of the spoils in a 1-1 stalemate. Last week, Stellenbosch needed a late penalty from Fawaz Basadien to snatch a 1-all draw.
A few days before that, Stellenbosch scored the winner through Cupido a minute into injury time for a 3-2 win against the vastly improved TS Galaxy.
Nowadays, Stellenbosch's opposition sides are armed with a two-pronged gameplan. They execute a low block and apply counter-attacking tactics. These tactics have unsettled Stellenbosch, but striker Cupido, a comparative newcomer, has kept the team's hopes alive.
Coach Steve Barker is pleased with how Cupido has fitted into the squad after moving from neighbors Cape Town Spurs two months ago.
“The weight of expectations at the beginning might have weighed a bit on him, but it’s a matter of persevering," said Barker after Friday's match. "We showed that he was doing the same thing that he was doing at Spurs and scoring goals.
“It wasn’t that he wasn’t scoring and doing things. It’s just that things were not happening for him. So, in this situation, he must persevere and be patient. I always thought when he gets the first couple of goals, it will give him confidence, and you can see how he is a lot lighter after scoring a few goals.”
Meanwhile, Stellenbosch is still four points behind Polokwane City but has played two games less. They are also 23 points behind Betway Premiership log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
The club announced on Friday that they will be playing their Nedbank Cup quarter-final match against Kaizer Chiefs at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. He arrived in the Winelands with great expectations.
Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker.
Image: Henk Kruger Independent Media
“The weight of expectations at the beginning might have weighed a bit on him, but it’s a matter of persevering. We showed that he was doing the same thing that he was doing at Spurs and scoring goals.
“It wasn’t that he wasn’t scoring and doing things. It’s just that things were not happening for him. So in this situation, you just have to persevere and be patient.”
“I always thought when he gets the first couple of goals, it will give him the confidence, and you can see now he is a lot lighter.”
Stellenbosch are three points behind Polokwane (31 points) but have played two games less. Polokwane coach Phuti Mohafe was unhappy that his team did not come away with maximum points and bemoaned some of the referee’s decisions.
“I am disappointed. This is the first time, and the last, that I am going to mention this in my career,” said Mohafe.
“I am disappointed with the fouls that have been given (against us). You check where they were given and how they were given. When we got the fouls, we were not given them.”
On Tuesday, Stellenbosch face hosts Marumo Gallants, who will be on a high after their win over Pirates on Saturday. Polokwane will have a break because they were scheduled to play Royal AM, who have yet to kick a ball in anger this year.
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