Barker reveals what he admires about Stellies’ CKO final opponents
Stellenbosch mentor Steve Barker has highlighted what he admires about their Carling Knockout Cup final opponents, TS Galaxy.
They are set to lock horns in what promises to be a thrilling Carling Knockout Cup final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Both teams gave a good account of themselves enroute to the final. Simply put, there is no natural favourite tipped to easily walk away with the bragging rights in this one.
In the DStv Premiership, Stellenbosch FC has done well compared to the Sead Ramovic-coached side.
Nevertheless, the Stellenbosch mentor Steve Barker has opened up, highlighting a key element he admires about Galaxy.
WHAT STEVE BARKER ADMIRES ABOUT THEIR CKO FINAL OPPONENTS, TS GALAXY
Barker admires the Tim Sukazi-owned club for being resilient despite losing key players to DStv Premiership rivals.
They lost defender Given Msimango who switched to Kaizer Chiefs, while goalkeeper Melusi Buthelezi was lured to Orlando Pirates.
In addition, Bathusi Aubaas also left to join Mamelodi Sundowns. They lost Aubaas at a time his career was taking an upward trajectory in Galaxy’s ranks.
“Galaxy have had a very good run in the cup. They have beaten probably the best team in Africa [Mamelodi Sundowns] in the preliminaries, so they fully deserve to be there.
“It’s a team that is well coached and organised. They lost big name players during the beginning of the season in Buthelezi [Melusi], Aubaas [Bathusi], Msimango.
“But they have shown the resilience to bounce back and be in the final. You’ve got to admire that. They’re a team that won a final already, so they have had that privilege of being in the final.
“I’m sure the new coach and players would want to emulate the team that won the Nedbank Cup,” Barker said.
Besides his admiration of their opponents, Barker is fancying his chances of winning his first major title as a coach.
The 56-year-old’s last appearance in a cup final was 14 years ago, then as University of Pretoria in the Nedbank Cup final.
They reached the final but their fairytale came to a painful end after losing 1-0 to Moroka Swallows in the final.
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