EIGHT OP 'N DATE

STELLENBOSCH FC are ready to be the Western Cape’s flagbearers in the Premiership this season, according to veteran goalkeeper Lee Langeveldt.

Local rivals Cape Town City were relegated at the end of last season, while Stellies finished in a kwaai third position for the second consecutive season. 

The Winelands span also finished runners-up in the MTN8, and enjoyed a dream run to the semi-finals in the Caf Confederation Cup.

Langeveldt feels the Maroons have become accustomed to carrying the Cape football’s hopes on their shoulders.

Langeveldt wysed: “I think over the past few seasons, I think we were basically carrying Cape Town football.

“Two seasons ago we won a trophy [Carling Knockout], this season we want to continue with that, winning trophies. Last season we made to the semi-finals of Caf, final of MTN8, and third in the league. Now it’s the next hurdle to hopefully win the league title and win another trophy.”

The 38-year-old is unlikely to feature in Sunday’s 3pm MTN8 quarter-final against AmaZulu having recently been assimilated into Stellies’ coaching staff with Sage Stephens and Oscarine Masuluke set to battle it out for the No 1 jersey, but Langeveldt is elated that the club will at least face the Usuthu at Cape Town Stadium after playing some of their “home” matches in Durban, Gqeberha and Pretoria last season. 

Langeveldt added: “At least we’re playing in Cape Town, so that's a positive. Hopefully, DC [Danie Craven Stadium] will be sorted soon and we can play in Stellenbosch where most of our supporters are. 

“Yeah, AmaZulu, it’s going to be a tough match. I think they’re a good team. They released a couple of players over the off-season, I think it’s more than 15 if I’m not mistaken. 

“So they’re in a re-building phase, hopefully we can use that advantage to our advantage.”