CAPE TOWN – Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker has stressed the importance of delivering a strong performance as his side prepares for their Betway Premiership round four clash.
The Cape Winelands-based side is set to host Marumo Gallants under the lights at the Danie Craven Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Stellies will be aiming to turn their fortunes around, having endured a tough start to the league campaign with three matches played, two defeats suffered, and only a single draw to show for their efforts.
Barker’s charges are currently sitting in 14th position on the log standing, while Gallants are comfortable sitting at fifth spot after winning two games and playing a draw to one.
Barker admits that tomorrow’s clash is a crucial one, emphasizing that nothing less than a victory will do.
“It’s a massive game for us to get ourselves up and running in the league,” said Barker.
“We need to ensure that it is our home game, and we need to ensure that we put in a big performance to warrant us getting the three points.
“So preparations have been a bit short, obviously, with all the travelling and getting back from Polokwane. Only yesterday [Sunday] and having today [Monday], but the players have had a good preparation.”
The 57-year-old coach expressed that the team is riding high on confidence and carrying a positive mood after securing their place in yet another final.
Stellenbosch booked their spot in the MTN8 final over the weekend with a victory against Sekhukhune United.
“The important part tomorrow is for us to execute our game plan and to ensure that we get maximum points,” he said.
“I think it gives us a lot of confidence having, you know, achieved what we have and making another final.
“So that confidence needs to transfer to our league performances. There’s a lot of bubbliness around the team, there’s a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of energy – we need to transfer that into the 90 minutes tomorrow evening.”
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