Stellenbosch Triumph in the Carling Cup Finale
Stellies Victorious in Carling Cup Final: Score and Stat Analysis
The Moses Mabhida Stadium was buzzing this past weekend as the 2023 Carling Cup final kicked off. Stellenbosch FC, hailing from the Western Cape, faced off against TS Galaxy from Mpumalanga, both eager to snatch the season's second major trophy. In a nail-biting encounter, Stellies emerged victorious, coming back from behind to clinch the championship in a thrilling penalty shootout.
In this week's By The Numbers, we delve into the compelling stats surrounding the 39th edition of the League Cup.
39 - League Cup competitions in total (since 1982: 14 pre-PSL, 25 in the PSL era)
17 - different PSL teams that have reached a League Cup final (Stellenbosch finished as Number 17)
13 - different PSL sides that have hoisted the League Cup (Stellenbosch became Number 13)
A Hard-Earned Triumph for Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch FC has been making waves in the Premiership over the last five years, from clinching the National First Division title in 2019 to steadily rising up the ranks in the top-flight. Their consistent progress is even more astonishing when considering they were on the verge of relegation on the final day of the 2020/21 DSTV Premiership season. Now sitting comfortably in third place, Stellies show no signs of slowing down as they chase a spot in the CAF competitions.
0 - Major semi-finals reached by Stellenbosch since their 2019 promotion3 - Major semi-finals reached by Stellenbosch in 2023 alone (a new record for the team)
1 - this was Stellies' first significant victory in a knockout competition
A Testament to Patience for Steve Barker
This week, the sports scene has been abuzz with SAFA establishing minimum coaching qualifications for top-tier and lower league coaches. Stellenbosch FC serves as an example of the power of patience, as they've stood by their coach through thick and thin. Let's take a closer look at their relationship.
6y 5m - years Steve Barker has been at the helm of Stellenbosch (since July 2017), making him the longest-serving coach in the PSL2y 2m - years Sead Ramovic has been coaching TS Galaxy, ranking him as the third longest serving coach (behind Eric Tinkler)
2/3 - Barker and Ramovic are two of only three coaches in the PSL who have remained in the same position for the past two years (also Eric Tinkler)
TS Galaxy's Familiar Frustrations
After taking the lead late in the first half and holding on for much of the second, Sead Ramovic must have felt the elusive celebratory arena within reach. Still, an old foe thwarted their plans again. Stellenbosch remains a difficult nut to crack for TS Galaxy.
10 - times the two teams have met since 2018 (in the NFD)7 - wins for Stellenbosch in this fixture0 - wins for TS Galaxy in this fixture3 - drawn matches in this fixture
Stellenbosch's Unique Run to the Final
Away success played a key role in Stellenbosch's triumph in the final, as they were the only team to play all their games on the road throughout the competition. This unconventional approach has paid off for Stellies, as they join an exclusive list of three teams that have conquered the competition without hosting a single home match.
3 - teams to win the League Cup without playing a home game at any stage.
- 2005 Jomo Cosmos
- 2009 Kaizer Chiefs
- 2023 Stellenbosch
Congratulations to the Stellenbosch FC team on their remarkable win.
Football and sports dominated the past weekend as Stellenbosch FC triumphed in the Carling Cup finale, securing their first significant victory in a knockout competition. In the 2023 edition of the League Cup, Stellenbosch became the 13th different PSL side to hoist the trophy, breaking their previous record of not reaching any major semi-finals since their 2019 promotion, having reached three this year alone.