Stellenbosch’s Evangelos Vellios Earns Spot on Carling All-Star Squad
Sep, 22 2025
Dual role at Stellenbosch FC
Evangelos Vellios wears two hats at Stellenbosch FC. He runs the Diski Challenge side, which is the club’s under‑19 league, and also serves as the third‑in‑command for the senior squad, backing head coach Steve Barker and the first assistant. Balancing the two jobs means he spends his days scouting teenage talent, planning training drills, and then hopping onto the first‑team bench to help shape tactics for the Premier Soccer League matches.
This mix of responsibilities is rare in South African football, but it gives Vellios a unique perspective. He can see how a youngster performs in the youth league, tweak their development plan, and then watch the same player make an impact in the top flight. That continuity is exactly what Stellenbosch FC has been banking on since the club’s rise to the PSL.
Impact on South African football
Vellios’ work has already produced measurable results. Players like Jayden Adams and Devin Titus have graduated from the Diski Challenge to become regulars in the senior side. Their smooth transition helped the club finish fourth in its third PSL season, climb to sixth the following year, and reach the Carling Knockout Cup final in its fifth campaign.
His emphasis on a methodical, long‑term development model—rather than quick fixes—has earned him respect across the league. That respect translated into his recent selection for the Carling All-Star team, a showcase that gathers the continent’s most admired coaches and players.
Being named to the All‑Star squad is more than a personal accolade. It signals that South African clubs are producing coaching talent that can compete with the best in Africa. For Vellios, the invitation is also a chance to network, learn new ideas, and bring fresh insights back to Stellenbosch.
Looking ahead, Vellios says he wants to keep feeding the senior team with home‑grown players. He believes that a stable pipeline of talent will protect the club from the financial pressure of big‑ticket signings and keep fans engaged with locally nurtured stars.
The Carling All-Star match will be a spotlight for Vellios to demonstrate his coaching philosophy on a bigger stage. If he can showcase the same discipline and tact that has worked in the PSL, his reputation could soar even higher, opening doors for future roles beyond South Africa.