DStv Diski Challenge winners Stellenbosch FC are set to showcase their talents when they come up against Premier League outfits Nottingham Forest and Leicester City in the Next Gen Cup.
Stellenbosch FC have safely landed in the United Kingdom to start their champions international tour, which includes participation in the English Premier League’s Next Gen Cup. Stellies were crowned DDC champions earlier this year, with the success coming only in their second season in the competition.
The Cape side wrapped up the title on a dramatic final day of the season, earning themselves the coveted international trip that comes with winning the DDC. The trip is making a return after a two-year absence due to the restrictions on international travel brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic.
This year’s trip includes a special invite into the Premier League’s Next Gen Cup. The competition, established in 2019, falls under a long-standing mutual cooperation agreement between the Premier League and the Indian Super League (ISL) to collaboratively support the growth of the local game in India with a focus on youth and referee development.
For the first time the event is being hosted in the UK and presents an incredible opportunity for Mzansi to promote its local emerging talent.
“We are excited for our Diski Challenge champions. Stellenbosch FC, and are looking forward to them getting exposure of this magnitude, whilst showcasing the immense talent we have in this country. It’s our continued commitment to enrich lives and provide the necessary support to develop skills of young talent,” says Collen Dlamini, group executive of corporate affairs at MultiChoice.
The Premier League have been supporting grassroots football in South Africa for the past 15 years through its flagship International Premier Skills programme, in partnership with the British Council, upskilling over 2,600 local community coaches and referees to benefit 17,800 young people. It also has a long-standing partnership with the Grootbos Foundation, supporting their football community engagement programmes.
Over the nine-day trip, Stellenbosch FC will be immersed in a plethora of activities which include a welcome at the Premier League offices, tour of and training sessions at Leicester City’s state-of-the-art training complex, panel discussions with former Premier League footballers, academy knowledge sharing for the technical team, a London sightseeing tour and, of course, participation at the Next Gen tournament.
This year’s tournament is divided into two: Next Gen Midlands and London hosted at Leicester City FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC first- team training grounds, respectively. Stellies will be competing in the Midlands edition comprising themselves, Leicester City FC, Nottingham Forest FC and one of two Indian Super League teams competing, Bengaluru FC.
The tournament format features two semi-finals followed by a third and fourth place playoff and the final. Evangelos Vellios’ charges have been drawn against Nottingham Forest FC in the second semi-final on Wednesday, 27 July from 6pm local time. The winner will advance to the final on Saturday, 30 July against either Leicester City FC or Bengaluru FC with the loser playing in the third and fourth playoff.
Also thrown in the mix are two friendlies in London on either side of the Next Gen Cup, against the second Indian Super League team, Kerala Blasters FC on Tuesday, 26 July hosted at West Ham United FC academy.
Tour schedule:
Sunday, 24 July
Departure for London on Virgin Atlantic Airlines
Monday, 25 July
Arrival in London
Premier League office welcome
Tuesday, 26 July
Friendly match against Kerala Blasters
Travel to Leicester
Wednesday, 27 July
Next Gen Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest
Thursday, 28 July
Recovery session at Loughborough University
Friday, 29 July
Tour of Leicester City Training Complex
Saturday, 30 July
Next Gen Cup third/fourth playoff and final
Sunday, 31 July
Travel to London
London sightseeing tour
Monday, 1 August
Friendly match against AFC Wimbledon
Departure for home on Virgin Atlantic Airlines
