CAPE TOWN – Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker believes discipline was the key to his side’s win over Orlando Pirates.
Stellenbosch opened their DStv Premiership account on a high following their 1-0 victory at Danie Craven Stadium on Saturday night.
Antonio Van Wyk’s only forty-two minutes strike was the difference as the home side walked away with all the points in their first match of the league.
The Cape Winelands side finished in sixth position last season.
Barker’s charges made crucial signings this season including former Baroka goalkeeper Oscarine Masuluke and former Kaizer Chiefs winger Kgaogelo Sekgota.
Barker said they have done their homework thoroughly and knew what to expect against Pirates.
“Again one of the things we have as a club is work ethic, team unity as well, positivity, accountability and responsibility. I thought in all those places we showed this evening,” said Barker.
“The shift we have put in and tactical awareness and discipline that we applied especially without the ball I thought was really good.
“We knew Pirates would be in a lot of positions to move the ball around well and I thought they did but we held out sort of structure really well.”
Stellies next match will be travelling to Limpopo next week to face newly promoted side, Polokwane City at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday.
“We looked dangerous in transition moments and that was always going to be the key element for us, not getting over one part, I was really proud of the hard work the players put in,” he said.
“To start a league with a win at home against Orlando Pirates was really good. The challenge always is, on Wednesday we play away in Polokwane City, we just have to make sure of the same work ethic and sort of attitude and discipline we showed here we need to carry through to the next game.
“We are really pleased with the performance of all the players and the shift they put in – there’s a lot of changes we made to the squad.
“We brought in 10 players, a guy like Sekgota only arrived yesterday [Friday] and got his permit So it wasn’t easy preparing through some of the pre-season but I can really be only proud of the players this evening.”
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