On Saturday, Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker 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.
Speaking to the media ahead of the team’s Nedbank Cup Last 32 match
against Swallows FC this weekend, Barker said: “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.”
Barker went on to recall three of Andries’ performances that stood out to
him: “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. 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.”
Barker concluded: “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.”
heartbreaking news. 💔
You were destined for the top.
RIP Oshwin Andries. pic.twitter.com/hA5q3DeZo2
— The Lord Of The Wings( Lisa) Arsenal Biggest Fan🏐 (@WhyUfikelate) February 4, 2023
