Stellenbosch FC Aims to Become Premium Youth Academy in South Africa After DStv Diski Challenge Success

• Stellenbosch FC aims to become the leading football academy for young prospects in South Africa
• This came after the Maroons claimed their maiden DStv Diski Challenge in just their season taking part in the competition
• The club believes that this will be a springboard for the institution to be regarded as a nursery for burgeoning talent

The sky is the limit in terms of Stellenbosch FC's ambitions on the South African football landscape.

The Maroons were crowned as the winners of the 2021/22 DStv Diski Challenge this past weekend after impressively overhauling then-favourites Orlando Pirates' seemingly insurmountable points lead. This was the club's maiden title win in the PSL Reserve League, just three seasons after making its debut in the 2019/20 season.

Speaking to SowetanLIVE, reserves head coach Evangelos Vellios believed that this put the institution on the track to being recognised as the country's leading developer of young talent.

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He said:

"It's a tremendous achievement for our club, having started this journey three years ago when we joined the PSL. Having players come through from our structures and others to build such a strong team over three seasons and to see them capping it off with a gold medal is very special.

"It's a special group of players, I'm thankful they could get it over the line. We have a head coach in Steve Barker [DStv Premiership] who believes in youth, giving them opportunities, he's never scared to throw in a young player."

Velios has become a name synonymous with nurturing talent and taking it to glory. He guided UP-Tuks to back-to-back Varsity Cup titles in 2014 and 2015, making him the only coach to have won Varsity Cup and Diski Challenge title wins.

Stellenbosch FC secure DStv Diski Challenge title with victory over TS Galaxy in final league fixture

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Stellenbosch FC are the new 2021/22 DStv Diski Challenge champions.

As reported by Sports Brief, the Western Cape side wrapped up the title on the final day of the league with a win over TS Galaxy.

Going into the final day, only Stellies and SuperSport United were still in with a shot of taking home the title, SuperSport.com reported.

Orlando Pirates, who had been in contention for the title for much of the season, blew their chances in the run-up to the final few games.