Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker has given his response on who he wants to meet between AmaZulu FC and TS Galaxy in the Carling Knockout Cup final.
Stellies brushed Richards Bay aside with a commanding 3-0 victory in the semi-final on Saturday at the King Zwelithini Stadium to reach their first cup final since they secured promotion to the top-flight in 2019.
Meanwhile, it will be the second for Barker who guided the University of Pretoria to the Nedbank Cup final 2009. AmaTuks went on to suffer a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Moroka Swallows.
The Durban-born tactician hopes to win his first silverware in the PSL. Barker says both AmaZulu and TS Galaxy would put up a tough fight.
He feels meeting AmaZulu in the final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, which is their backyard would make things hard for them with the home crowd support.
On the other hand, he believes TS Galaxy wouldn’t want to waste the opportunity to finish off what has been an impressive cup run as they knocked out the mighty Mamelodi Sundowns in the first round.
BARKER SAYS HE’S ‘NOT WISHING FOR ANY OF’ AMAZULU AND TS GALAXY
“We’ve played both teams and AmaZulu could be more of a home game for them with a bigger crowd and in terms of that it would be more difficult,” said Barker.
“They played us last week there, they’re playing today there. In two weeks time they play [a final] there. So, from that point of view, it would be challenging.
“But you know Galaxy have had a good cup run. They started by beating Sundowns, so they would also be the difficult opponents.
“So, I’m not really wishing for any of the two.”
‘IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY’
Barker admitted the absence of the so-called big clubs presents a good chance for them to lift the trophy for the first time.
“Obviously, some of the so-called more difficult oppositions aren’t there does create opportunity,” added Barker.
“But it’s still difficult to win any trophy but it does feel like it’s our destiny. But we can’t get ahead of ourselves. It is an opportunity.”
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