Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker said losing Oshwin Andries has not been easy for the club.
Barker said this while addressing a Nedbank Cup media event on Wednesday. He spoke at length about the best moments he remembers about the youngster.
“Three things I remember and will never forget, were the three performances he had at the Danie Craven Stadium this season. In his full debut he was Man of the Match against Orlando Pirates.
“He had a great game thereafter against Royal AM where he scored a fantastic goal, winning the ball on the edge of his own box and carried it, passed it, received it and scored at the other end. Then, his last appearance was against Cape Town City, where again he put in another strong performance.
“It’s perhaps a cliché saying, but I often tell the players that every game should be played as though it is their last game, and for Oshwin it was the case against City, and he could have been very proud of his performance on that night.
“It was full of courage, bravery, and quality in an important match, at home in the derby in front of a stadium full of people, and he acquitted himself extremely well.
“It was just poignant that he was the last player to leave the field. Everyone had gone to the change room and he went and thanked the supporters, and that happened to be the first time that his whole family was there to come and watch,” said Barker.
Oshwin was stabbed in the head and on his back on 29 January while he was at a shebeen in Klapmuts while having fun with his friends.
Barker said they are extremely sad about the death of a young and promising player.
The player’s funeral will be on 18th February. His memorial service will be on 14 February.
