Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker has made a bold prediction about his squad following a fairly good run in the DStv Premiership and Nedbank Cup.
The Cape Winelands side started the 2022/23 campaign on a slow note. At one point, they were going through a rough patch and found themselves in the relegation zone.
This was mainly due to injury setbacks, trying to find right combinations and losing their star player Ashley Du Preez to Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs.
As the season progressed, especially in the second half of the season they started to find their groove back after re-signing Iqraam Rayners.
They became consistent and started grinding results. In 11 league matches; they won seven, drew two and lost two.
Stellenbosch FC are eyeing a top-eight finish and made history exiting in the semi-finals of the Nedbank Cup for the first time.
STEVE BARKER’S BOLD CLAIM
Barker believes in the next two-three seasons to come the Stellies will reach a cup final and become a consistent finisher in the top six.
“We turn around to have a three-year cycle,” said Barker.
“We believe this team next season and the following season they can take us further. A [cup] final and maybe consistently challenging in the top six on a regular basis.
“We had a lot of big changes at the beginning of the season, we lost a lot of players, it was not intentional.”
STEVE BARKER CONFIDENT OF HAVING A GOOD SEASON
Despite the disappointment of Nedbank cup semi-final exit. Barker is confident they can make their season good by qualifying for next season’s MTN8.
“One has to look back and believe it’s still going to be a decent season.
“Right now, it’s a good-ish season, finish eight it becomes a good season. If we don’t then it becomes an avarege season,” he added.
The Steve Barker-coached side are currently sixth on the log standings with 37 points from 28 matches.
They close-off the campaign with relegation threatened duo of Maritzburg United [A] and TS Galaxy [H].
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