Stellenbosch FC‘s home woes continued this week as their Danie Craven Stadium was deemed unsuitable to host their Wednesday Betway Premiership derby against Cape Town City. The club has been struggling with the pitch’s condition due to recent heavy rainfall and rugby fixtures.
As a result, the match has been relocated to Athlone Stadium in Cape Town. This marks the second consecutive league game Stellenbosch has played away from their home ground, following a disappointing 2-0 loss to Golden Arrows last week.
Despite the challenges, Stellenbosch have found success on the road, winning three of their last four matches away from home. Their recent victories include a triumph over Nsingizini Hotspurs in the African Confederation Cup and a stunning upset against Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 Cup semifinal.
The club’s journey in the top flight has been marked by adversity. During the 2019-20 season, they were forced to play all of their home games away from Stellenbosch due to various factors. Athlone Stadium has often served as a temporary home, especially when safety concerns arose during matches against high-profile opponents.
With a tough derby ahead and an away trip to Polokwane City on Sunday, Stellenbosch’s resilience will be tested as they prepare for the MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates on October 5.