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05 February 2020
Experience is a huge factor in any sport and having a player that has “been there and done that” is a massive bonus to any side. That is why Stellenbosch FC have brought on board a former Nedbank Cup winners in midfielder Asavela Mbekile, who could make his debut in Friday’s Last 32 clash with Maritzburg United at the Athlone Stadium. Mbekile played the full 120 minutes as Mamelodi Sundowns defeated Ajax Cape Town 4-3 on penalties in the 2015 decider at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium after the teams were locked at 0-0. It was certainly a career highlight for the 33-year-old, who later moved to Orlando Pirates, but found game-time hard to come by. That promoted him to negotiate an early exit from his contract at The Buccaneers, and when he was made available as a free agent, ambitious Stellenbosch moved quickest to snap up his signature. He will provide a huge boost to their Nedbank Cup chances as he can slot in among the midfield, or play as a right-back, where he has featured for Bafana Bafana in the past. Stellenbosch would be his fourth club in the Nedbank Cup after Moroka Swallows, Sundowns and Pirates, having debuted in 2014. Something of a late bloomer in professional football, he came to prominence at Chippa United in the 2012/13 season, before arguably the best campaign of his career at Swallows the following year. That promoted a move to Mamelodi Sundowns, where he won the Nedbank Cup, and later Pirates. He could make his debut on Friday alongside another magnificent signing for Stellenbosch in the form of an African champion, Zambia international Nathan Sinkala, who was unveiled last week. Tickets for the Nedbank Cup Last 32 are on sale at TicketPro outlets and selected SASOL garages countrywide. Prices will start at R40 for adults, and R15 for children under the age of 12. Supporters can also purchase tickets online at www.ticketpros.co.za.
*The views represented are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent those of Nedbank.