CAPE TOWN – Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker admitted the team has already started with plans to bolster the squad for next season.
Barker was speaking to the media on Friday at Lentelus Sportsground in Stellenbscosh ahead of their Nedbank Cup semi-final clash against Mamelodi Sundowns on Sunday.
Stellies who are on fine form this season will be looking to add another silverware to the team’s cabinet when they make their second Nedbank Cup semi-final in a row.
Barker says the team is looking into keeping the momentum going as they start to look to strengthen the squad for next season.
“I think we are doing well as a club, we plan things well in advance. We have short, medium and long-term sort of planning,” said Barker.
“And, you know, already the planning for next season and beyond has taken place a long while back.
“And now that, you know, we are sort of imminently getting closer to qualifying, it wouldn’t be wise for us not to sit around a table and strategise and make sure that we come up with a plan.
“We have to come up with the right solutions so that we can continue to be competitive on all fronts.”
The Cape Winelands side’s Nedbank Cup run last season ended at the semi-final stage after a penalty shootout defeat to Sekhukhune United.
The high flying Stellies won the inaugural Carling Knockout this season, and are currently in second position in the DStv Premiership behind champions Sundowns.
Meeting the new 2023/24 DStv Premiership champions, Barker’s charges will be hoping to work towards adding another trophy to the club’s name when the two sides meet.
He knows playing Sundowns won’t be easy even if they play at Danie Craven Stadium.
“Congratulations to Sundowns for winning their seventh league title in a row, in the league they were by far the best team and got the job done nice and early, ” he said.
“So congratulations to them, we do play them in a league game in two weeks’ time, so maybe we’ll give them a guard of honour then, but not on Sunday.
“It’s a different competition. It does obviously add, I think any team in South Africa, and we’re one of them, is that ultimately we want to also be challenging to win titles.
“It’s a great opportunity for us as a club, as a team, as individuals to, you know, gauge where we are. Obviously, we’re also having a really good season.
“But this is the ultimate test in a semi-final of the Nedbank Cup, the Cup of Dreams.
“So, you know, definitely, it adds to the occasion and it’ll be interesting to see, you know, our run and how we’ve done playing against them, who are also obviously on a really good run of form, to see where we’re at.”
Image: @StellenboschFC/ Twitter.
