The Stellenbosch Football Club (FC) reserve team is going to participate in the newly formatted DSTV Diski Challenge.
Stellenbosch Football Club reserve league players prepare for the opening game of the newly formatted DSTV Diski Challenge. PHOTO: James Cameron Heron
The competition, renamed to the DSTV Diski Challenge Rewired, will commence on 10 April, according to Evangeos Vellios, head coach of the Stellenbosch FC reserve team. The original DSTV Diski Challenge was suspended in January due to the second wave of Covid-19 infections, said Vellios.
“We are very excited to get going again. Obviously it’s a new format, so it’s a different approach to the competition, but we are very excited to be able to get back onto the field to play, compete and test ourselves,” said Vellios.
Constandino Christodoulou, goalkeeper for the Stellenbosch FC reserves, trains for the upcoming DSTV Diski Challenge. PHOTO: James Cameron Heron
The DSTV Diski Challenge Rewired, like most other professional sports competitions around the country, will follow strict Covid-19 protocols and host no fans, said Vellios. The new format will see 16 football teams from across South Africa divided into two streams: coastal and inland. The top two teams from each stream will compete in a semi-final, and the winners of the semi-finals will enter a championship final, added Vellios.
“This format is unique with its own challenges, and will be very exciting for the fans to watch once it comes to the knockout stage of the format,” said Quintin Stokes-Wallar, captain of the reserve team.
The different stages of the new DSTV Diski Challenge format. INFOGRAPHIC: James Cameron Heron
The Stellenbosch FC reserve team was at the top of the table before the original competition was cancelled, with three wins and one draw, according to Vellios. The players have set a high standard and are ready to start the new competition, he added.
“There is [an] expectation to perform and do well in this competition, so we’re all excited to get going again and to get back onto the field,” said Vellios. The reserve team’s opening game will be against SuperSport United at the Danie Craven Stadium, he stated.
The revival of reserve league football not only benefits fans, but also those players who want to become professionals, according to Ryan Hunt, data analyst for Stellenbosch FC.
“If they don’t get to play, they don’t get noticed, they don’t get the opportunity to show what they can do,” said Hunt.
The Stellenbosch FC reserve team huddles for a team talk at practice. PHOTO: James Cameron Heron