For Betway Premiership gypsies Stellenbosch FC, a home game has an extra special feeling to it.
Through no fault of their own, Stellies’ nomadic existence has seen them take their home fixtures to the Eastern Cape, Pretoria, and KwaZulu-Natal over the past two years.
Only last weekend, Gavin Hunt’s charges were forced to play their opening game of the new season against AmaZulu at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Durban—just 20 minutes from their opponents’ base.
The disruption has been palpable, with Stellenbosch unable to build on their loyal supporter base in the Winelands. Even Friday evening’s clash against Marumo Gallants will be played at the alternate venue of Athlone Stadium (kick-off at 7:30 pm) and not at the Danie Craven Stadium.
But such is the desperation to play anywhere in the Western Cape at long last, the Stellies players are excited to finally run out in front of a smidgen of their own fans.
“We’re looking forward to tomorrow’s game,” Stellenbosch FC forward Chumani Butsaka said. “It’s our first game at home, and we’re excited to try to put on an entertaining performance for the fans.
“They are an extra player for us. When we’re down, they’re the ones who pull us up, so I think they will play a big role. And we’re in Cape Town, so it’s important that the opponents feel it.”
Stellies have managed to pick up a point on the road from their two games after playing out a thrilling 3-3 draw against Polokwane City midweek.
Butsaka feels this will give the team confidence heading into the clash against his former team.
“Marumo Gallants are a good team, but we’re up for the challenge,” he said. “We showed in the last game against Polokwane City that we can create a lot of chances and score from them.
“If we can keep doing that and avoid conceding as easily, we’ll have a good chance of coming away with all three points.
“Scoring three goals away from home last time, and finding the goals to come from behind twice in the match, was a big confidence booster for us and shows that we have the right character.”
Coach Hunt is likely to hand debuts to former Kaizer Chiefs duo Given Msimango and Kgaogelo Ramush after the pair joined Stellenbosch during the off-season.
He will be hoping they have a similar impact to fellow new signing Sinoxolo Kwayiba, after the former Chippa United striker opened his Stellies account against Rise and Shine.
Kwayiba is hoping to add to his goal tally against Gallants on Friday night.
“I am also happy that I was able to get my first goal in the Stellies jersey. As a striker, you want to score as many goals as you can, so I always just keep working hard to make sure that if I get a chance, I am able to take it,” he said.
“Thanks must also go to my teammates for always supporting me, and I believe there is more to come. This is just the beginning of many more to come.”
