Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker has paid an emotional tribute to the late Oshwin Andries, following his tragic passing.
The 19-year-old defender's sudden passing was first announced by the Cape Winelands' outfit on Sunday.
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Barker has since paid an emotional tribute to fallen hero, speaking to the media ahead of the team's Nedbank Cup Last 32 match against Swallows FC this weekend.
"As a football club we are very saddened by the tragic loss of such a talented young player at only 19 years to have lost his life. It hasn't been easy for us as a football club. Oshwin has been with us from a young age. He first started at Maties and playing there as a youngster, and he joined us on a sort of youth programme. He played there from the under-14 and upwards and was the under-16 player of the season not long ago and he obviously graduated into our DDC (DStv Diski Challenge) team. He had a very good DDC career in terms of helping the team to win the league, so he's a league winner. He travelled with the team to the UK for the NextGen tournament and part of the strategy for the club is to provide opportunities for players like Oshwin that may come from difficult circumstances to be able to realise their dreams. For him to go and watch Liverpool versus Man City – to be able to be at the stadium to witness that – and to play the tournament and win the tournament… to score David Beckham(ish) type of a goal from his own half to then come back and to be promoted and starting to get starts in the PSL team," said Barker.
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"Three things that I really remember that I will never forget was the three performances that he had at the Danie Craven (Stadium) this season. Basically, his full derby and was Man of the Match against Orlando Pirates and had a great game thereafter after against Royal AM again, he scored a fantastic goal. He received the ball at the edge of his own box, carried, passed, received and scored a goal," the coach said.
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"Then his last appearance was against Cape Town City and again he put in a really strong performance. You know what the cliché is saying, and there are times when I remind the players about that, you've got to play football as if it's your last game, and with that it was his last game and we can be proud of his performance which was full of courage, full of bravery, full of quality – an important match at home in a big stadium and full of people. He acquitted himself extremely well in that match and he was the last player to leave the field. Everyone had gone to the change room, and he went to thank the supporters and it was the first time that his whole family was there to come and watch him. Obviously, details around what happened, I'm not going to comment on that. The forensic report is likely to be out soon. We believe that will be today and one will know exactly what led to his sudden passing," said Barker.
