CAPE TOWN – Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker lauded his team’s performance following their 2-0 win over Sekhukhune United in the first-leg of the MTN8 semi-finals at Danie Craven Stadium on Saturday night.
A 23rd-minute strike from Enyinnaya Godswill, followed by Devin Tatus’s goal in the 33rd minute, secured Stellies a crucial victory over United.
Barker praised his team’s effort, emphasizing that they stuck to the game plan throughout the match, something he said he was especially proud of.
“I thought the evening was a really good, I would say solid professional performance. Obviously, the conditions weren’t the easiest, and I thought we handled it well, and we had our moments where we were able to still play and move the ball around and ask them questions defensively,” said excited Barker.
“It was always just not trying to be too smart in and around our box area.
“So I thought that we stuck to our game plan well, and I thought it was two well-taken goals. And we got the two no lead, and then it was a question of just seeing if we can’t maybe get the third, which would hopefully, you know, put us in a really strong position.”
After bringing in several new signings ahead of the upcoming season, Barker provided an update on the player registrations.
He has expressed his satisfaction with how the newcomers have quickly settled in, blending well with the rest of the squad and showing promising signs of cohesion as a unit.
“It was always important to get the registrations done,” he said. “I think a player like Mthetheleli Mthiyane would have probably had a role to play against Magesi, but just didn’t get his registration in time.
“Thapelo Mokobodi arrived late, you know, he’s got registered, so he will play an important role as the season goes on, as well as Muzomuhle Khanyi.
“Henri Stanic had a really strong performance at centre-back, and then we are just waiting for one more registration to be finalised, and that’s Turan Manafov, that’s left back just to add sort of depth in that position.
Barker added: “Right now, Omega [Mdaka] had to play every game, but in saying that, you know, he’s now shown that he’s matured, and Omega’s had really strong performances throughout the beginning of the season, so I’m also happy for him.
Image: @StellenboschFC/ Twitter
