Barker looking forward to Stellies’ old boys’ reunion against Downs

STELLENBOSCH FC may not have a derby any more after Cape Town City were relegated at the end of last season, but this weekend’s clash against Mamelodi Sundowns will certainly have a familiar feeling to it.

- ZAAHIER ADAMS

Sundowns have recruited - others would say raided - Stellies’ stocks in recent seasons with a number of high-profile players departing The Maroons for Chloorkop.

Playmaker Junior Mendietta kickstarted the trend, although the Argentine midfielder has since left the Pretoria-based club for Saudi Arabia before moving on to Greece.

Ace striker Iqraam Rayners then made the switch before midfielder Jayden Adams was also lured up north at the beginning of the year for a reported record R20 million transfer fee.

Sundowns were not done yet though as they also recently captured star left-back Fawaaz Basadien prior to the start of this new season.

Barker played an influential role in all of Rayners, Adams and Basadien’s career paths.

Adams, in particular, is a homegrown product from Cloetesville, who was Stellenbosch’s first academy graduate to sign a long-term contract back in August 2020.