By The Numbers – Stellies Win The Carling Cup

The Moses Mabhida Stadium was the venue for the 2023 Carling Cup final this past Saturday. Stellenbosch traveled from the Western Cape, and TS Galaxy from Mpumalanga, both aiming to get their hands on the season’s second piece of silverware. In the end, Stellies were victorious coming back from a goal down to win via penalty shootouts. In By The Numbers this week, we look back at the final with some interesting stats on the 39th edition of what is commonly known as the League Cup.

39 – League Cup competitions held all-time (since 1982: 14 pre-PSL, 25 in the PSL era)

17 – different PSL teams that have reached a League Cup final (Stellenbosch were Number 17)

13 – different PSL sides that have lifted the League Cup (Stellenbosch were Number 13)

Stellenbosch Finally Reap The Rewards

Stellenbosch has been one of the most well-run teams in the Premiership over the last five years. From winning the National First Division in 2019 to steadily improving in the top-flight, their rise has been noteworthy. It’s even more remarkable when you consider that they went into the final day of the 2020/21 DSTV Premiership facing possible relegation. Now third on the league table with eyes on a CAF spot, it is further proof that their Cup run has not been a fluke.

0 – Major semi-finals reached by Stellenbosch since their 2019 promotion
3 – Major semi-finals reached by Stellenbosch in 2023 alone (more than all teams)

1 – this was Stellies’ first major knockout competition win

A Victory For Steve Barker

In a week where the online conversation has been about SAFA setting minimum coaching qualifications for top-flight and other leagues, it’s worth noting how rare it is for coaches to stay the distance in South Africa. Stellenbosch seems to be the perfect example of patience with their coach, as they have kept faith even when things were tough. The final result should also be a celebration of long-term visions.

6y 5m – years Barker has been at Stellenbosch (since July 2017), the longest-serving coach in the PSL
2y 2m – years Ramovic has been at TS Galaxy, the third longest serving coach (behind Eric Tinkler)
2/3 – Barker & Ramovic are two of only three coaches in the PSL in the same position in the last two years (also Eric Tinkler)

TS Galaxy Hoodoo Continues

After taking the lead late in the first half and holding on with a quarter-hour to go, Sead Ramovic would be forgiven for starting to think party ideas for the celebration. Yet, he would have known that Stellenbosch are 1) in rude form and 2) a bogey side for the Rockets. This was Stellies’ 10th game since the first week of October, and they are unbeaten in all 10 (W8 D2). Indeed, since October, Stellies have been the only PSL team yet to lose a game in all competitions. For Galaxy, the hoodoo continues:

10 – games between the sides since 2018 (in the NFD)
7 – wins for Stellenbosch in this fixture
0 – wins for TS Galaxy in this fixture
3 – drawn matches in this fixture

Stellies’ Unique Run

A win in the final was also unique in that Stellies have played all their games away from home in this competition. This has happened only seven teams before, five of whom went on to the final. Only a handful have gone on to win the final.

3 – teams that won the League Cup without playing a home game at any stage.

• 2005 Jomo Cosmos
• 2009 Kaizer Chiefs
• 2023 Stellenbosch

Congratulations to the Stellenbosch team.