Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker has shared some insight on what has contributed to the goal-scoring form of forward Ashley Cupido. The former Cape Town Spurs player has scored four in the last four matches for Stellies.
Cupido joined Stellenbosch at the beginning of the season. The 23-year-old had been linked with a move to Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs before the move to Stellenbosch.
He has rewarded coach Steve Barker’s confidence in him with five goals in all competitions so far. Cupido also scored the equaliser during the 1-1 draw against Polokwane City FC on Friday evening in the league.
Barker has revealed that being patient with Cupido to properly settle at the club has finally rewarded them.
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“Patience. I think it’s never easy for a player to come to another club. Obviously, there was a price tag and being at a club that struggled a bit and got relegated,” said Barker.
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“The weight of expectations at the beginning might have weighed a bit on him. But it’s a matter of persevering. We showed that he was doing exactly the same thing that he was doing at Spurs and scoring goals.
“It wasn’t that he wasn’t scoring and doing things. It’s just that things were not happening for him. So in this situation, you just got to persevere and be patient.”
“I always thought when he gets the first couple of goals, it will give him the confidence, and you can see now he is a lot lighter.”
Meanwhile, Stellenbosch are still four points behind Polokwane City but have played two games less. They are also 23 points behind Betway Premiership log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
The club announced on Friday that they will be playing their Nedbank Cup quarterfinal match against Kaizer Chiefs at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
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