Steve Barker has shared his opinion on whether Stellenbosch FC should have received a scheduling reprieve from the PSL before their important CAF Confederation Cup game.
‘Stellies’ dropped points in the Betway Premiership after a disappointing 1-0 loss to Magesi FC at Seshego Stadium in Polokwane on Saturday.
They turn their attention to the CAF inter-club competition as they are set to start preparations for the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup quarterfinals against Zamalek. The match is set for Wednesday, 2 April at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town.
Stellenbosch progressed to the quarterfinals after finishing as the runners-up of Group B, with Moroccan Champions RSB Berkane at the top of the group.
WHAT STEVE BARKER MAKES OF NOT HAVING TIME OFF AHEAD OF the CAF ENCOUNTER
Despite a defeat to Magesi FC, Barker surprisingly stated that he believes his team should not have been given a break to prepare for their CAF inter-club commitment, citing prior knowledge of the Magesi fixture.
“No, I don’t think it’s unfair, I mean it’s a fixture that we knew have, so we got to deal with it,” he told the media.
STELLENBOSCH FC COACH PLEASED WITH HIS PLAYERS’ COMMITMENT DESPITE LOSS TO MAGESI FC
“Obviously, with the mind on Wednesday’s game, I don’t think the players were not committed to the game; I thought the commitment was there.
“We tried our best, but it was a difficult game, a difficult condition to play in. I just think it wasn’t a lack of commitment, effort or quality. It’s just one of those games you walk in thinking you could have won, and it was going to be massive points for us.
“We haven’t played in the FIFA break, it was a better two weeks and playing a game now helps us prepare for Wednesday.”
“I am disappointed [with the results]. I don’t think we deserved to walk away from losing the game, I thought that, at minimum, we deserved to get a point.”
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