Harry who?! Watkins makes England case as Kane watches on

How it feels to beat Lionel Messi

Why Man Utd & Liverpool both want Argentine teen Soler

Top 25 African players of the 21st century - ranked

Vini's nightmare goes on as Brazil drop more WCQ points

Mendes responds to Ronaldo criticism of Portugal players

Raphinha surprises wonderkid Yamal with £10k gold iPhone

Real Madrid midfielder announces shock retirement in emotional letter

Rodri admits he wouldn't have even chosen Vinicius Jr. as Ballon d'Or runner-up

‘Can't think long term’ – Ronaldo admits he may not reach 1,000 goals

'Please leave him alone!' - Deschamps sends out Mbappe plea

Endrick set to be offered 'escape route' out of Real Madrid

'Football's biggest waste' - Adriano admits he's 'drinking to oblivion'

Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Stellies were promoted to PSL five years ago</li><li>They have lost several top players</li><li>Their ambition has been questioned</li></ul><a href="https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vae4thkJZg4CmvuUtR3C">CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHATSAPP CHANNEL!</a>

Stellenbosch's ambition questioned after selling stars to Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates & Mamelodi Sundowns - 'How long can they be top-four club?

Knockout Cup

Magesi FC

Mamelodi Sundowns FC

CAF Confederations Cup

Stade Malien

Stellenbosch FC

The Premier Soccer League outfit made massive steps last season in South African top-flight football across all competitions.They won the Carling Knockout and reached the Nedbank Cup semi-final before pushing to a third-place finish on the PSL table.

WHAT HAPPENED?

In the ongoing transfer window, Stellies <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/done-deals-confirmed-transfers-by-psl-clubs-in-2024-25-season/blt4f0c5ae374837ed1#cs1087bbf2d1b14e94" target="_blank">have already lost two key players</a>. Iqraam Rayners, who was last season's PSL Golden Boot runner-up, joined Mamelodi Sundowns while Orlando Pirates snapped up captain Deano van Rooyen.In recent seasons, the team has lost top players like Ashley du Preez, Zitha Kwinika, Junior Mendieta, and Sibongiseni Mthethwa, among others.However, that has not stopped them from creating problems for other teams because&nbsp;their recruitment model is working.However, former Ajax Cape Town striker Nathan Paulse has questioned how long the tactic will work.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

"For how long can they sustain the actual model that they have and still be a top-four club?&nbsp;You can look at them and say Stellenbosch has probably put themselves among the top clubs with a model that will come back to bite them," he told <a href="https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/mtn8/how-long-can-stellies-sustain-selling-big-stars/" target="_blank">iDiski Times</a>."How they go about it is another thing and that obviously is down to squad depth, down to the recruitment, how well they have done that because look you don’t get a goal scorer like Rayners every other day. He is someone that has been built over time because you must remember he has also been away from Stellenbosch after he left them initially."So he has been through experiences that have seen him grow into the player that he is now. So to bring in someone to kind of just to fill in and seamlessly take over his job, I don’t think that will happen so, they have some tough questions to answer," Paulse continued."But I’m sure even on the business side as well, I am sure if they agreed to the transfer then they had a contingency plan in place."

WHAT PAULSE SAID

Stellies are in the MTN8 semi-final where they will, coincidentally, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-za/lists/confirmed-orlando-pirates-and-mamelodi-sundowns-avoid-each-other-in-mtn8-semi-final-draw/blte4c6e56d476b2695" target="_blank">play Sundowns</a> in a two-legged fixture.Even without Rayners and Van Rooyen, they have managed to get into the second preliminary round of the Caf Confederation Cup meaning the remaining players can still deliver.

WHAT NEXT?

Stellenbosch's ambition questioned after selling stars to Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates & Mamelodi Sundowns - 'How long can they be top-four club? | Goal.com

Stellenbosch have been asked to consider their tendency to sell star players despite their consistent success.

Stellenbosch&apos;s ambition questioned after selling stars to Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates &amp; Mamelodi Sundowns - &apos;How long can they be top-four club?