Andre de Jong (Stellenbosch FC | South Africa)

Bugger.
Stellenbosch (GD +15) lose 2-1, and Orlando Pirates draw (GD +18) with SuperSport, so that both teams end up on 50 points. Pirates edge 2nd spot, and the automatic CAF Champions League spot on GD.

Stellies finish 3rd and get a spot in the CAF Confederation Cup. Which based off Saffa's post above could be a financial poisoned chalice for the club.

ADJ on at HT with Stellenbosch down 2-0.

He seems to have been in good form of late, and might be rewarded with a OFC Nations Cup callup, with Wood unavailable.

https://us.soccerway.com/national/south-africa/psl/20232024/regular-season/r75930/

Stellies just ran out of steam in the end.  What a huge achievement for Stellies players and management team to finish 3rd in the Psl. Qualifying for the Caf Confederations Cup and the Top 8 Cup.

Congrats to Adj for a wonderful season by staying fit and really putting a shift in. It would be awesome if Stellies ownership financially back them for the Confederations Cup but its understandable if they don't. Their reserve team won their development league so there is a wonderful crop of talent to blood into the 1st team. 

Stellies are at risk of losing some quality young players to the PSL Big 3, MLS and European teams. The PSL fight with wyscout however could be a massive stumbling block to MLS or European transfers. Pure idiots!
Playing in Africa would definitely be good for Adj development and career. It is tough, frustrating and the need to be resilient has the potential push him to the next level

Niche Cache.
Probably a bit unlucky to miss out to Greive re AWs & the Nations Cup.

Bazeley maybe doing his mate Corica a favour, keeping Alex (AFC deal pending?) fit in Vanuatu??!

From all of us at Stellenbosch Football Club to you, the Maroon Army, thank you for your incredible support throughout the season 🫶 pic.twitter.com/Z3TghxrEUl

— Stellenbosch FC (@StellenboschFC) May 31, 2024

Remember how the Stellies had that remarkable 25-game unbeaten streak across all competitions? A club record stretch with Andre De Jong proving a key player throughout? Yeah that was awesome. Then they lost 2-1 to Mamelodi Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup semi-final... which was fine because Sundowns are the best team in South Africa. Except they followed it with a 0-0 draw vs AmaZulu, a 2-0 loss to Swallows, a 1-0 loss to Sundowns again, then a 2-1 loss to Richards Bay. After 25 games undefeated they did not win again in their final five outings. Didn’t have the legs. So it goes.

Sadly that caused Stellenbosch to drop to third on the ladder. Level on points with Orlando Pirates but with a worse goal differential by three. Pirates took one point from their last three fixtures, Stellies took zero points from their last three fixtures. Not an ideal way to miss out on Champions League qualification. They beaten in the final round by a Richards Bay side that needed to win to avoid a relegation playoff and were thus that little bit more desperate.

At least there’s still the consolation prize of the CAF Confederation Cup. ADJ made 34 appearances across four different competitions this season with seven goals and three assists to his name. Not sure on his status for next season but he only joined the Stellies 18 months ago so you’d assume he’s still under contract.

Up Next: Was his great form in 2024 enough for an All Whites recall? No

As Storm Roux and James McGarry can testify the All White team really doesn’t seem to be picked on form. Perhaps Rufes too can attest to this.

Which you can understand for a hot streak, but Roux and Central Coast have two seasons of frankly excellence on the CV. There’s nothing left to win in Australia right?

Sometimes it feels like Bazeley selects players who are out of form or favour such as Woud and Smith, and perhaps Nando, to try and get them in the window for a better club deal. Ahh- and you’re saying Alex G. here perhaps, rather that Alex d J. Anyway that’s a different thread and discussion, perhaps relating to the various strengths of opponents and our historical lack of competitive games at a level some of our players are now at.

But great to see another kiwi in the form of his life and doing good things on the pitch!