Stellenbosch FC is set to return to Cape Town for their CAF Confederation Cup clash against AS Vita Club.

After being forced to play their first few matches in Durban due to venue renovations, the club will host the Congolese giants at DHL Stadium on 13 September.

The Cape Town venues were unavailable for Stellies’ matches – Danie Craven Stadium and Athlone Stadium – due to rehabilitation efforts following the Junior Rugby World Cup. DHL Stadium was also occupied by the Springboks, who are hosting the All Blacks in the second test of the Rugby Championship on Saturday.

Earlier this season, Stellies’ home ground, Danie Craven Stadium, faced criticism for its poor pitch condition during their MTN8 quarter-final against TS Galaxy. Galaxy coach Sead Ramovic described the pitch as “dangerous.”

To accommodate their fixture schedule, Stellies played their preliminary round match against Nsingizini Hotspurs and the MTN8 semi-final against Mamelodi Sundowns in Durban, securing impressive victories in both matches.

Despite playing away from home, Stellies has enjoyed remarkable success, winning all five matches and keeping four clean sheets. Coach Steve Barker expressed his delight with the team’s performance.

“It’s five matches now, five wins in a row, four clean sheets,” Barker reflected. “A big encounter awaits us against AS Vita Club in two weeks’ time, and fortunately, we’ll be playing at DHL Stadium. So, I think we’ve had a really good start.”

As they will face Vita Club in the first leg, it means their opening 2024/25 league match against Golden Arrows that was supposed to take place on 14 September, will now take place in the following as the PSL had already allocated the club.