Bafana Bafana forward heads to Liga Leumit in search of regular game time after two challenging seasons with Stellies.
Stellenbosch FC have confirmed that striker Ashley Cupido has joined Israeli second-division club Kiryat Yam on a season-long loan for the 2026/27 campaign.
The move offers the 25-year-old Bafana Bafana international a fresh opportunity to reignite his career after struggling to replicate the prolific form that made him one of South Africa’s most exciting attacking talents.
Cupido joined Stellenbosch in 2024 following an outstanding spell with Cape Town Spurs, where he finished as the 2022/23 Motsepe Foundation Championship’s top scorer with 15 league goals. However, he found opportunities and goals harder to come by at Stellies, scoring just six times in 77 appearances across all competitions over the past two seasons.
Fresh Start in Israel
The loan move will see Cupido spend the entire 2026/27 season with Kiryat Yam, who secured a respectable sixth-place finish in Israel’s Liga Leumit last season.
In announcing the transfer, Stellenbosch FC expressed confidence that the experience abroad will aid the striker’s development.
“Stellenbosch FC striker Ashley Cupido has joined Israeli second division side Kiryat Yam on loan for the duration of the 2026/27 season.
“Cupido will spend the upcoming campaign abroad after completing a season-long loan to Kiryat Yam, who finished sixth in the Liga Leumit last term.
“The Bafana Bafana international becomes the third player to move from Stellenbosch to Israel in recent years, following previous spells in the country for Ibraheem Jabaar and Faiz Abrahams.
“The club will continuously monitor Cupido’s progress and wishes him all the best during his loan spell.”
Stellenbosch Continue Squad Reshuffle
Cupido’s departure comes as Stellenbosch continue reshaping their squad ahead of the new season following a disappointing ninth-place finish in the Betway Premiership.
The club has already parted ways with several experienced players, including Olisa Ndah, Wayde Jooste, Oscarine Masuluke, Thabo Moloisane, and Mthetheleli Mthiyane, as the rebuilding process gathers pace.
With Cupido no longer part of the club’s immediate plans, the loan move provides an opportunity for him to secure regular first-team football while allowing Stellenbosch to continue restructuring the squad for the challenges ahead.
Chance to Reignite His Career
For Cupido, the move represents far more than just a temporary switch. It is an opportunity to rediscover the goalscoring instincts that earned him national recognition and a place in the Bafana Bafana setup.
A successful season in Israel could put the striker back on the radar for both club and country while increasing his chances of returning to Stellenbosch as a more confident and complete forward.
As he embarks on a new chapter overseas, both Cupido and Stellenbosch FC will be hoping the loan spell proves to be a win-win, with the striker gaining valuable experience and returning stronger ahead of the 2027/28 season.
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