Staff Reporter.
Stellenbosch FC are on the verge of making history by becoming the first and only African team to win the Premier League Next Generation Cup back to back.
Stellies face Wolverhampton Wanderers in the NextGen final scheduled Friday afternoon [2:30pm, CAT] at Reliance Corporate Park in India.
Stellies are the tournament’s reigning champions, having won it on their debut last year in London. They were drafted to take part in this prestigious tournament after winning the 2021/22 DStv Diski Challenge league title.
A victory on Friday will see them writing their names in the history books of the NextGen.
The club coach Evangelos Vellios said it is an achievement for them to reach the final, and they are now eyeing clinching the title.
However, he warned his charges that they must be more focused and eliminate silly mistakes when they face the Wolves.
Stellies started the tournament with a 1-0 win over Bengaluru. It was followed by a 2-0 win against ATK Mohun Bangan.
The third group of the match was nerve-wracking as it ended 3-3 against West Ham, and they only needed a point to reach the final.
The final group match saw Stellies cracking under pressure when West Ham threw everything at them. They made mistakes which resulted in three goals.
“We just have to be more focused,” said Vellies.
“I think the first game was tough we just landed the heat was extreme. To have won that game was really brave from the boys. The second game was bit calmer… against West Ham we really cut them apart, we created many chances we could have scored more unfortunately lapses of concentration we gave them goals,” he explained.
“Concentration would be key, we will need to be in control and manage the situation well. Not give them [Wolves] chances, we never got away to the game and we will need to have a look at that. These players [opponents] really use their chances , they get a half chance and punish you.”
“Would be a massive statement winning it back to back, reaching the final as well considering that we have a new squad is a huge achievement for us.”