Stellenbosch Consider Touré Return As Hunt Targets Defensive Reinforcements
Sportswire can confirm that Stellenbosch are considering a move to bring back defender Ismail Touré.
The potential reunion comes as newly appointed head coach Gavin Hunt looks to strengthen his defence ahead of the second half of the season. Hunt, who replaced Steve Barker earlier this month following Barker’s move to Simba SC in Tanzania, has inherited a side battling near the bottom of the table.
Stellenbosch currently sit third from bottom with 12 points after 14 matches and are in urgent need of an upturn in form to move clear of the relegation zone.
Defensive frailties have been a major concern for the Cape Winelands outfit, who have conceded 18 goals while scoring just eight so far this season. Known for building teams on a solid defensive foundation, Hunt is keen to restore stability at the back by reuniting with Touré.
The Ivorian centre-back left Stellenbosch in July last year to join UAE Pro League side Baniyas, ending a highly successful two-season spell at the club. During his time at Stellenbosch, Touré made 76 appearances across all competitions, helping the club lift the Carling Knockout Cup in 2023, reach the MTN8 final in 2024, and advance to the CAF Confederation Cup semi-finals earlier this year.
Touré also etched his name into the club’s folklore by scoring the equalising goal in the Carling Knockout Cup final against TS Galaxy at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban during the 2023/24 season, as Stellenbosch went on to claim their first-ever top-flight trophy.
However, his stint in the UAE has been cut short, and he is now a free agent. This has prompted Stellenbosch to seize the opportunity to re-sign him in a bid to shore up a backline that has been leaking goals.
Meanwhile, Sportswire previously reported that Hunt is also keen to bolster his attack, with Orlando Pirates striker Tshegofatso Mabasa a loan target for the remainder of the season.
Mabasa is currently part of Pirates’ camp in Rustenburg as they prepare for the second half of the campaign, but he has not featured in the club’s last eight matches across all competitions. This includes their Carling Knockout Cup final victory over Marumo Gallants at Peter Mokaba Stadium earlier last month.
Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has explained that Mabasa’s absence is due to the tactical system currently being employed.
This is despite the striker having won the PSL Golden Shoe in the 2023/24 season, scoring 16 goals — six during a loan spell at Moroka Swallows in the first half of the campaign and 10 for Pirates after his recall in the second half.
