Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker has opened up about the increasing number of injuries impacting his squad during the current campaign.
Barker’s troops have enjoyed a successful 2024/25 campaign thus far, reaching the MTN8 final [where they were defeated 3-1 by Orlando Pirates] and progressing to the knockout stages of the CAF Confederation Cup in their debut season.
They currently sit ninth in the league and have advanced to the Nedbank Cup Last 16.
However, their progress has been hampered by a series of injuries, most notably to highly-rated attacker Lehlohonolo Mojela. The 28-year-old forward, who joined Stellies from TS Galaxy, has been sidelined since October 2024 with a knee injury.
Despite his limited appearances [nine in all competitions], Mojela had made a significant impact, scoring six goals.
STEVE BARKER SAYS STELLENBOSCH HAVE ABOUT SIX PLAYERS UNAVAILABLE FOR SELECTION
Barker revealed that they’re going through a difficult time as they have about six players unavailable for selection at the moment. According to the Stellies coach, this is frustrating because they have a thin and young squad.
The injury list includes the likes of Sanele Barns, Thato Khiba, Mojela, Kazie Godswill Enyinnaya, Shaakir Ahmed and Ashley Cupido.
“Sanele Barns suffered from an illness. He’s now recovered and started training. This coming week, obviously, we’ll be without Thato [Khiba], without [Lehlohonolo] Mojela and Kazie Godswill Enyinnaya,” said Barker.
“Also unfortunate we have Shaakir [Ahmed]. He had a boil [painful infection] on the worst place on the shin; it just made him unavailable to play. We have two fullbacks, starting fullbacks, and wide players not available.
[Khomotjo] Lekoloane also came back from illness with Barns; he’s slowly getting back, only really able to give us 25 minutes.
“We have five or six players out there, but the ability and calibre are not available, and it is frustrating. Ashley Cupido also picked up a knee injury. It’s frustrating if you have key players that you have brought in and are unavailable. This is quite a young squad.”
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