Stellies shift focus to 2022 Next Gen Cup
DStv Diski Challenge reigning champions Stellenbosch FC have jetted to the United Kingdom to participate in the Next Gen Cup as part of their preseason preparations.
The Capetonians, who safely landed in the UK on Monday, will lock horns with five teams from the Premier League, namely Leicester City, West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest and two Indian Super League outfits, Kerala Blasters and Bengaluru FC.
The teams were split into two groups of four, and two champions will be crowned. Midlands Group (A) – Bengaluru FC, Leicester City, Nottingham Forest, and Stellenbosch FC. London Group (B) – Crystal Palace., Kerala Blasters FC, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United.
Stellenbosch FC coach Evangelos Vellios hopes his troops can bring the A-game they showcased when they clinched the league for the first time last season and correct the mistakes that saw them lose the Diski Shield to Kaizer Chiefs this past weekend.
“We going to the UK to represent the whole of Diski teams, all the coaches, all the players and the country. We hope to make everyone proud in the UK, and I hope it goes well for us as well,” said Vellios.
“I don’t think there is anything particular that needs attention, we were unlucky [against Chiefs], and they punished us from the moments we didn’t deal with situations.”
“For us, it is just to keep playing our processes, keep playing the football that we were playing and try to find solutions when teams sit off a little bit and deny us space behind.”
The reserve league tournament kicks off on July 27th. It will be played at two separate venues. The Group A matches will be held at the home of Leicester City, while the Group B matches will take place at the home of Tottenham Hotspurs.
July 27 – Tottenham Hotspur vs Kerala Blasters, 12h00 & Crystal Palace vs West Ham United, 14h00.
Leicester City vs Bengaluru FC, 18h00 & Nottingham Forest vs Stellenbosch FC, 18h50.
July 30 – 3rd Place: Match 1 loser vs Match 2 loser, 11h00 & Final: Match 1 winner vs Match 2 winner, 14h00.
3rd Place: Match 1 loser vs Match 2 loser, 11h30 & Final: Match 1 winner vs Match 2 winner, 14h00.
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