Ahead of their opening game against Tottenham Hotspur, Stellenbosch FC Diski team coach Evangelos Vellios shared the team’s experience playing in the tournament.

“For us, it’s definitely an amazing experience. The group that won it two years ago, you could see the boys becoming men. So many of them have even gone on to play for their country. It was so amazing for them, and I think it will be the same for this group.”

The club from the Cape Winelands has a rich history with the Premier League Next Generation Cup, having won the competition in 2022, finishing runners-up in 2023, and winning the latest edition of the tournament in 2024. Although expectations were high, Coach Evangelos encouraged his team to play without fear and enjoy the occasion. “There is a little bit of expectation, but we just told them this is very generational, and this is their generation and legacy to build.”

Preparation going into the tournament was very important for Stellenbosch FC as they faced off against the best teams from England and India. Coach Evangelos stated that they wanted to stay true to the values of the club. “We always try to be true to how we play, our principles, and identity as a club. We just take that and try to test ourselves. We like to play on the front foot and with high pressure. We like to see how the English teams or Indian teams cope with that. And obviously dealing with their organisation and the way that their players are technically gifted.”

The competition was run over four match rounds and held at Aston Villa’s Bodymoor Training Ground. Two groups of four clubs played each other before the final fixture, which was based on table positions. All the matches were 11-a-side games which were 50 minutes long, with each half being 25 minutes.

Stellenbosch FC’s route to the final, which was held at the Loughborough University Stadium, included a win over Tottenham Hotspur in their opening fixture thanks to an own goal by Tottenham Hotspur defender Dexter Oliver. Langelihle ‘Major’ Phili, arguably one of the most dangerous players on the day, shared his views after their opening fixture. “Coming to play in the Next Gen Cup is a big step and a big tournament. We are coming to test ourselves against the big teams in the world. I think it’s going to be good for us as a group. We are going to learn from it and take the positives from this back home.”

Following their opening day victory, Stellenbosch recorded victories over Aston Villa and Crystal Palace by the same 1-0 scoreline to reach the final.

The scene was set at the Loughborough University Stadium where Stellenbosch defeated Tottenham Hotspur thanks to goals from their captain Shaakir Ahmed and Kyle Bailey, with the final score ending 2-0.

After their historic victory, Stellenbosch FC captain Shaakir Ahmed shared what the victory means to the entire team. “Facing off against three Premier League teams and playing Tottenham twice, we knew it was going to be hard. But staying consistent and making sure we are tight at the back and finishing our chances in front helped us to end up with four clean sheets in the tournament. We are just so happy that we could make it all the way and get the gold medal.”

This victory not only adds to Stellenbosch FC’s illustrious record but also solidifies their reputation as a formidable force in youth football. The experience and exposure gained from competing against top international teams will undoubtedly contribute to the development of the players, both individually and collectively. As the team returns home, they carry with them the pride of their achievements and the knowledge that they have set a high standard for future generations to follow.