After being homesick on two fronts, Stellenbosch FC make a comeback to their Winelands base

On Sunday Stellenbosch played AS Otohô in Congo-Brazzaville. After several flight cancellations, the team only started their homeward journey on Wednesday morning.

It had been a long week for Stellies, who began their journey to Brazzaville just hours after defeating defending champions Kaizer Chiefs in a Nedbank Cup thriller in Cape Town.

Logistical nightmares plagued the return leg. Stellenbosch was scheduled to depart Brazzaville on Monday, but the first of many cancellations occurred. To add insult to injury, fellow PSL giants Mamelodi Sundowns were at the same airport at the same time, departing for their own continental assignment; however, they did so in the comfort of a private jet.

After days in limbo, the Stellies’ trip finally resumed on Wednesday with a midday flight to Ethiopia. They arrived in Johannesburg on Thursday, before heading back to the Western Cape. Being in transit for four days has left the squad battling extreme jet lag and fatigue.

As if this dose of travel-induced homesickness was not enough, Stellenbosch last played at their Danie Craven Stadium base in September 2025. Since then, the facility has undergone extensive renovations ahead of an international rugby tournament scheduled for later this year. In the absence of an adequate venue in the Winelands, they have been forced to play "home" matches as far afield as Cape Town, Durban, and Polokwane.

The wait is finally over. They will return to their true home next Wednesday, when they host Betway Premiership basement-dwellers Magesi FC.

“It means we don’t have to sit in a bus for two hours, getting to the stadium in Cape Town,” said a relieved coach Gavin Hunt.

The Limpopo-based Magesi announced on Thursday morning, the departure of coach John Maduka, confirming veteran Allan Freese as his replacement.

Hunt will be looking to move his side up from their current 12th position and may want to provide an uncomfortable reception for Freese, whom he faced many times during his stint as a fearless fullback for the legendary Hellenic.

Before the league action, however, Stellenbosch must navigate a dead rubber against Tanzania’s Singida Black Stars at the Cape Town Stadium this Sunday. Both teams have four points after five games in CAF Confederation Cup Group C and, regardless of the outcome, have already been eliminated from the play-offs.