They will be proud of me

Stellies squad. In this exclusive interview with Soccer Laduma's Delmain Faver, Titus reflects on his evolving role as both mentee and mentor, the culture that makes Stellies unique, and the heartbreak of losing teammates while celebrating their progress. He also speaks about his bond with coach Steve Barker, the club's growing hunger for silverware at home and abroad, and his burning ambition to break into Bafana Bafana.

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Devin Titus has quietly grown from a Stellenbosch FA Academy hopeful into one of the club's most important players and one of the Betway Premiership's most consistent performers. Still only in his early 20s, the winger has close to 100 appearances and back-to-back double-digit goal returns to his name. With senior teammates moving on, Titus suddenly finds himself among the leaders in a youthful yet ambitious

me — whether it’s the beginning or the middle of the season, it’s a heartbreak for me because you grow that type of bond with the player who you play with, even though you don’t see each other every day or every single minute of the day, but it’s just something about football players that just have that bond together. But I think for them, I’m just happy for them because they’re going after their dreams or whatever they're going after. But for me, it’s about supporting the team and helping Stellenbosch grow to become a giant in PSL football.

DF: At the same time, coach Steve Barker pointed out that the club works hard to keep certain players, and he mentioned you by name. What does it mean to know Stellies are committed to keeping you?

DT: I guess it’s down to the type of person I am. Stellenbosch gave me an opportunity that no other club gave me. I went on trial at many other clubs, and I never made it. But Stellenbosch one day just said, “OK, we'll give you an opportunity.” And now I’m just trying to repay them because without them, I don’t think I would have become the player I am today. But also, it comes down to me because I am Devin Titus. I just need to work hard and try to repay them with trophies and goals and assists.

DF: That leads to people saying you are next for a big move. How do you respond to that?