Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker says lifting the Carling Knockout Cup would be a “really special occasion” for club captain Lee Langeveldt and vice-captain Deano van Rooyen.

Stellies are set to participate in their first-ever final when they take on TS Galaxy at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Barker went on to say that reaching the final and winning the trophy would be really special to the players who were at the club since gaining promotion to the top-flight in 2016.

“We have the geographical name of the town behind us, and our club captain and vice-captain are both from Stellenbosch,” Barker said.

“When we won the NFD and got promoted to the PSL, there were a couple of where myself, Lee, and Deano spoke about lifting a trophy together as a club, so I’ve always had that dream and I think they’ve had that dream.

“It would cap off a really special few years if Deano and Lee were there to lift the trophy. It would be a special occasion as they are two of the players who are still here from when we were promoted. Angelo [Kerspuy] was also a player then and is our team manager now, Iqraam [Rayners] is also from that team having left and come back.

“It would be nice to win with those players and some of the staff like myself, Wesley [Sergel], the physio [Fanie de Klerk], and the kit man [Melcolm Loggenberg], so I think it would be a full-circle moment for us to lift the trophy together and then start planning for the next one.”

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