Stellenbosch turn to Raoul Daniels after Devin Titus completes Morocco move

Raoul Daniels is being asked to help fill the void left by Stellenbosch FC stalwart Devin Titus, who has joined Moroccan champions Maghreb Association Sportive de Fes after the club triggered the buy-out clause in his contract.

Titus, 25, said goodbye to Stellenbosch over the weekend after becoming the club’s most-capped outfield player, with 176 appearances. He also leaves as Stellenbosch’s second-highest goalscorer, having scored 36 times in all competitions.

His final appearance for the Maroons came last week, when he scored in a six-goal thriller against Polokwane City at Seshego Stadium. That match finished 3-3.

Titus was not included in the squad for Stellenbosch’s 3-1 win over Marumo Gallants at Athlone Stadium last Friday evening, as the club prepared to move on without one of the leading figures of its recent rise.

“Devon had a buyout clause. The team met the buyout clause,” coach Gavin Hunt said. “Devon, do you want to go? Yes, I want to go, coach. Okay. I can’t keep you here.”

Titus was part of a golden generation produced by Stellenbosch’s development programme, alongside the late Jayden Adams and Ashley du Preez.

During the past four domestic seasons, he missed only one league match. His contribution helped Stellenbosch win the 2023 Carling Knockout, where he was named Player of the Tournament, reach consecutive MTN8 finals in 2024 and 2025, and advance to the semi-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup.

Daniels makes early impression

Hunt had already begun planning for Titus’ departure by introducing teenager Raoul Daniels, who has responded with an immediate impact during the opening three matches of the season.

The young winger has scored once and provided two assists so far, quickly becoming an important part of Stellenbosch’s attacking play.

Daniels was especially prominent in the meeting with Marumo Gallants, striking up an encouraging partnership with rookie striker Quwan Plaatjies. From the wide right channel, he supplied two precise crosses for Plaatjies during the match.

His emergence offers Stellenbosch an early sign that the club’s development system can continue to produce first-team talent, although Hunt has warned that the process will require patience.

“Look at these boys. These boys came, this Raoul, and they come,” Hunt said. “They just need a little bit of time. And development is not about always going up. Sometimes it’s going down, you know, up and down.

“The timing’s got to be right, you know. I mean, this boy’s been thrown in because of Titus’ story. So I said to him, listen, you’re playing tonight, you know. I don’t have anybody else. No, I do, but I’m saying it to him.”

Daniels’ first three matches have therefore come under unusual circumstances, with Titus’ departure accelerating his introduction to senior football. For Stellenbosch, his early goal and two assists provide encouragement as the club begins life without a player who was central to its progress over the previous four seasons.

Raoul Daniels of Stellenbosch FC is challenged by Omega Mdaka at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Durban.

Image: Alche Greeff/BackpagePix