Betway Premiership side Stellenbosch FC confirms Lesiba Nku, Thato Khiba and Sanele Barns exits as exodus of players at the Cape club continues

Lesiba Nku, Thato Khiba and Sanele Barns are history at Stellenbosch FC.

The trio left Stellies by mutual consent with Barns signing for Richards Bay while Khiba and Nku joined Sekhukhune United.

“Stellenbosch FC can confirm that the Club has reached agreements for the transfers of Thato Khiba to Sekhukhune United and Sanele Barns to Richards Bay. The Club has also parted ways with Lesiba Nku by mutual agreement,” a statement by the Cape Winelands club reads.

“Khiba joined Stellenbosch in January 2025 and made 43 appearances across all competitions. Following his transfer, he will reunite with former Stellies teammate Lehlogonolo Mojela, who similarly departed for Babina Noko earlier this month.

“Barns, meanwhile, returns to Richards Bay, from whom he joined Stellenbosch in July 2024. The 28-year-old spent the last 17 months in the Cape Winelands, where he scored seven goals in 68 appearances, while also making his Bafana Bafana debut during last year’s COSAFA Cup.

“Lastly, Nku has departed the Club after the parties reached an agreement to mutually part ways. He scored twice and recorded four assists in 35 appearances across all competitions.

“The Club expresses its gratitude to Thato, Sanele, and Lesiba for their service and wishes them all the best in the next chapters of their respective careers,” the statement concluded.

Stellenbosch hosts Algeria's CR Belouizdad in the return leg of the Caf Confederation Cup group stage match.

Stellies lost 2-0 in North Africa last Sunday.