Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker admits that injuries to attacking duo Ashley Cupido and Bradley Mojela set them back in their quest for continental glory and a respectable finish in the Betway Premiership.
Cupido joined the Cape Winelands outfit from Cape Town Spurs while Mojela was signed from TS Galaxy.
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Mojela, 28, sustained a knee injury in October and has been sidelined since. He had played just five matches in all competitions with three goals to his name. Cupido on the other hand sustained a hamstring injury in their win over AmaZulu in mid-April having featured 25 times for Stellies in all competitions with five goals so far.
Barker feels the two have been unlucky however they were adjusting really well while he also believes Mojela, who might still make a come-back this season, could have had the same numbers as Iqraam Rayners.
“I think to be fair to Ashley in the last three, four months, he’s shown some good signs for us,” said Barker.
“You know, it’s never easy coming from a team that got relegated and coming into a team that’s challenging at the top end of the table. So, he had started imposing himself and doing a job so unfortunately, he got injured with the hamstring against AmaZulu.
“I guess one can’t say that, because unfortunately, I think Bradley would have got really good numbers over the season. I think he would have got the same similar numbers to what Rayners has done. So, we were a little bit unlucky with his long-term injury.
“But yeah, looking forward, it’ll be like signing a new player for next season. So, we are looking forward. He is recovering well. Maybe with a bit of luck he can play one or two games before the season ends.”
