Sundowns on course for seventh consecutive DStv Premiership title? Steve Barker weighs in
Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker has expressed his frank thoughts on whether it’s still possible to catch Mamelodi Sundowns who have won eight consecutive league games from the start of the season.
Barker witnessed his side suffer their fifth league defeat at the hands of the DStv Premiership reigning champions on Wednesday evening at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.
Masandawana opened up a ten-point gap at the top of the log standings. With the win over the Western Cape-based club, the Brazilians set a new PSL record.
They made it to 32 league games without a defeat. That feat ended the long-standing record of 31 games without defeat set by Kaizer Chiefs in 2005.
Moreover, they also matched Chiefs’ PSL record of eight consecutive wins from the start of the campaign.
Downs have won the league title six times, consecutively, and could make it seven in a row, should they continue with their winning momentum this season.
Barker, whose team was knocked out of the 2023 MTN8 semifinal, admitted Sundowns are on their own standard in South African football. He says Masandawana have made it difficult for other teams to catch up with them.
Barker believes Sundowns’ squad depth will be key to their consistency. He pointed out the number of changes that the Rulani Mokwena’s side made on Wednesday and remained as potent.
STEVE BARKER ON MAMELODI SUNDOWNS DOMINANCE
“I’m really not going to comment on that, but I think we are all aware of how they have started. It’s seven or eight (wins) in a row now, it’s eight,” Barker said when asked if he feels Sundowns have already gone with the league.
“So, when you are already in that position with the quality of squad that you have, it becomes very difficult for other teams.
“But, it is a long way to go. Sundowns have got other competitions that they will be involved in.
“But fortunately for them, they have got depth. You could see this evening they made seven changes to the starting players.
“They have got enough players and the squad to rotate and still be strong. It will be tough to crack [Sundowns]. So, maybe the credit must go to them for the continuous domination of South African football.
Stellenbosch face Cape Town Spurs in the Western Cape derby on the 30th at the Athlone Stadium. Thereafter, they welcome TS Galaxy at the Danie Craven Stadium on 4 October.
Meanwhile, Sundowns host Burundian team Bumamuru at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday, 30 September in the CAF Champions League second preliminary round. The Tshwane giants won the first leg 4-0 on the road.
Story by Clifton Mabasa
RELATED STORY: Rulani Mokwena reacts to Sundowns breaking PSL record