Stellies to take on Premier League giants in Next Generation Cup
Stellenbosch Football Club will once again compete in the Premier League Next Generation Cup when the club’s DStv Diski Challenge side travels to the United Kingdom later this month.
As reigning champions of the DStv Diski Challenge, Stellenbosch FC has once again been invited to compete in the Premier League Next Generation Cup in England where they will compete alongside the age-group sides of Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Everton, and Tottenham Hotspur.
Evangelos Vellios’ side, with the support of MultiChoice and the Premier Soccer League, are one of eight teams taking part in the competition in total and will be joined by three clubs from the Indian Super League, including East Bengal FC, Muthoot FC, and Winners Punjab FC.
Stellies will be making their third appearance at the Next Gen Cup after ending as runners-up to Wolverhampton Wanderers in India last year and having won the Midlands Group of the competition in 2022 following a resounding 7-2 win over Leicester City.
The Young Maroons will depart for the UK on 29 July before competing in the tournament between 1-4 August, with numerous other activities and knowledge-sharing workshops planned for the duration of their European excursion.
“The Premier League is once again delighted to be hosting the Next Generation Cup and looks forward to what promises to be another great tournament,” Neil Saunders, the Premier League’s Director of Football said.
“The event serves as a fantastic learning experience for the young players both on and off the pitch, providing them with a platform to interact with one another as well as learn about each other’s cultures…”
The competition will run over four 50-minute long match rounds held at Aston Villa’s Bodymoor Training Ground, split between two groups of four clubs, with the two table-topping teams meeting each other in the final at Loughborough University Stadium.
The Stellenbosch FC travelling squad for the Premier League Next Gen Cup:
Dejean Ah Shene
David Passman
Tyler Cicero
Simthandile Sishi
Rijul Pillay
Tylon Smith
Shaakir Ahmed
Vuyolwethu Andrieas
Ethan Felix
Zenden Bell
Keanan Johannessen
Liam Slade
Kyle Bailey
Jean Topley
Roy-Keane Avontuur
Cheswyn Philander
Langelihle Phili
Quwan PlaatjiesRob Benadie (Chief Excutive Officer)
Evangelos Vellios (Head Coach)
Jason Rhoda (Assistant Coach)
Jean-Pierre Farrugia (Head of Youth)
Menanto De Lange (Head of Performance)
Benjamin Mthini (Kit Manager)
Follow Stellenbosch FC across all major social media platforms to keep up to date with the club’s travels and progress in the United Kingdom. All matches will be broadcast live on SuperSport TV Schools Channel (216).