Cupido out, but Stephens returns for Stellies in Confed Cup semi

STELLENBOSCH FC’s 1-0 victory over AmaZulu on Tuesday evening came at a major cost, with striker Ashley Cupido expected to be out for “a minimum of six weeks” and miss this week’s trip to Zanzibar for the all-important CAF Confederation Cup semi-final against Simba FC.

- ZAAHIER ADAMS

Cupido hobbled after just 10 minutes when his hamstring went “pop”, and was replaced by South Africa Under-20 forward Langelihle Phili.

Stellies coach Steve Barker conceded that Cupido, who worked tirelessly leading the frontline in the quarter-final against Zamalek in Cairo last week, would not be on the flight to the East African island.

“Yeah, it looks like it’s a bad hamstring, so unlikely that he’ll (Cupido) be available,” Barker said. “He says he felt it pop.

“Unfortunate for us, especially with Bradley Mojela still out and Ashley, it’s obviously not ideal.” Cupido’s absence has left Barker with a mini-crisis upfront, with Mojela, of course, still recovering after undergoing knee surgery in December.