CAPE TOWN – Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker has lauded his team’s resilience and commitment following their hard fought extra-time triumph over AmaZulu in the MTN8 quarter-finals at DHL Stadium on Sunday.
The Cape Winelands side left it late to seal the win, edging AmaZulu 3-2 in extra time after a thrilling MTN8 quarter-final that ended 2-2 in regulation time, with substitute Langelihle Phili netting the decisive goal.
Barker acknowledged the challenging pitch conditions but commended his players for adapting well and managing the situation effectively.
“The ball sort of bounced a lot, you needed to have a touch and then a pass, and it wasn’t conducive to the way we want to play,” said Barker.
“But be as it may, I think if you ever want to win trophies and be in semi-finals, sometimes you’ve just got to find a way to win a game.
“I think we found a way to win this match. From a tactical level, I thought we started the game well with a lot of excellent possession.
“Unfortunately, we gave a bit of a goal that we don’t like to be conceding from a second, third phase set-piece.
With the MTN8 semi-final draw now confirmed, Barker’s charges are set to host Sekhukhune United in the first leg of the campaign, with the exact date to be announced by the Premier Soccer League (PSL).
Meanwhile, Soweto giants Orlando Pirates are set to face off against reigning league champions Mamelodi Sundowns in the other MTN8 semi-final clash.
Barker was also asked to share his thoughts on the current situation of having only one Western Cape-based team competing in the Betway Premiership.
Cape Town City have been relegated to the Motsepe Foundation Championship, while Cape Town Spurs have suffered a further drop, now set to compete in the ABC Motsepe League.
“I’m not here to speak on behalf of what’s happened with the other clubs. Obviously we would like to have Cape teams still being professional and playing in the PSL,” said Barker.
“It does mean that there’s one extra trip for us. I think, as everyone knows, Cape teams probably have to travel the most in the league, so not having any derby is disappointing for us.
“I can only wish and hope that a team like Cape Town City bounce immediately back, and let’s hope that Cape Town Spurs can also get themselves back to the professional level.”
Barker added: “Sometimes you’ve just got to learn lessons that you take from these situations and just make sure that you don’t become complacent yourself and allow it to happen, but at the same time, it does offer us a massive opportunity to try and get more support from the greater Western Cape region,” he concludes.
Images: @StellenboschFC/Twitter.
