Why key players were allowed to leave
Du Preez and Rayners were allowed to leave Stellenbosch, their former coach explains why, as per iDiski Times.
Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker has finally addressed why the club permitted key players such as Ashley du Preez, Deano Van Rooyen, and Iqraam Rayners to leave, emphasising the importance of supporting players’ childhood dreams.
Over recent seasons, Stellenbosch FC has seen an average of two crucial players depart during each transfer window. Three seasons ago, du Preez and Zitha Kwinika joined Kaizer Chiefs, while last season Junior Mendieta moved to Mamelodi Sundowns and Olwethu Makhanya transitioned to Major League Soccer with Philadelphia FC.
This season, Stellies lost two more key players: Iqraam Rayners, who joined Sundowns after triggering his release clause, and Deano Van Rooyen, who moved to Orlando Pirates.
Barker on supporting players’ dreams and career growth
In an interview with Thabiso Mosia on Radio2000’s Game On show, Barker explained that Stellies supports players’ aspirations to play for their childhood clubs and earn higher salaries. “When you see players like Ashley du Preez, Deano Van Rooyen from Idas Valley, from Stellenbosch, getting the opportunity to go to some of the clubs they supported as young kids—Deano was a boyhood fan of Pirates, for example—we don’t want to stand in the way of players that have the dream,” Barker said.
Barker believes that these players might return to Stellies in the future, reflecting the club’s supportive stance. “Makhanya got a chance to go to the MLS and earn 10 times more money. Those are the situations we don’t want to stand in players’ way.”
Selective approach to player departures
Despite this supportive approach, Barker noted that Stellies does not always grant transfers if the timing or opportunity isn’t right. “There are many other players that other clubs want from us, but if we believe it’s not the right time or opportunity, then we don’t let them go,” Barker said.
Regarding Rayners, Barker clarified that the player’s move was inevitable once Sundowns activated the buyout clause in his contract. “With Rayners, it was an exit clause in his contract that was triggered, so there was nothing we could do once the buyout clause was triggered by Sundowns,” Barker added.
Steve Barker and Stellenbosch FC’s transfer policy reflect a balance between supporting players’ dreams and strategically managing departures based on contract conditions and team needs.
Stay tuned with The South African for more updates Du Preez and Rayners as they create a new legacy at the new clubs.
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