Steve Barker has applauded Ashley Cupido’s resurgence after the striker delivered a Man of the Match performance in Tuesday’s win over Magesi FC.

Cupido played a key role in both of Stellenbosch FC’s – forcing an own goal for the first before scoring the second with a composed finish – as the team from the Winelands recorded a 2-1 Betway Premiership win over Magesi FC at Danie Craven Stadium.

Match report | Stellenbosch bag all three points with victory over Magesi FC

The striker, who joined Stellies from Cape Town Spurs at the start of the season, took his tally to four league goals for the campaign with his latest strike which followed an impressive brace from the bench in last week’s come-from-behind win over TS Galaxy.

A Man of the Match performance from Ashley Cupido ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/CiyT9VuXN6

— Stellenbosch FC (@StellenboschFC) February 25, 2025

“It was nice to see Ashley get himself on the scoresheet again – I thought he had two but it seems as though the one was given as an own goal, but it was still his presence that forced the error,” Barker said after the match.

“It’s nice for him to be getting on the scoresheet considering Bradley [Mojela] is out injured for the season. It wasn’t easy for him in the beginning but he is a goalscorer, so it was just a matter of time for him. We just had to keep believing in him and showing him the confidence.

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“Hopefully, with this sort of run that he is on at the moment, if he can maintain that until the end of the season it will be really good for us.”

Cupdio has also recorded three assists in the Betway Premiership this season, meaning the 23-year-old boasts a return of seven goal contributions in 16 league appearances for the campaign thus far.