Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker is eyeing the Betway Premiership Defender of the Season award for one of his players, citing their “consistent” performances throughout the campaign.
Stellies have endured a demanding season, competing strongly in nearly every domestic and continental tournament they participated in.
They reached the MTN8 final, losing to Orlando Pirates, and were eliminated in the Carling Knockout Cup quarter-finals by Marumo Gallants. In the Betway Premiership, they currently sit in fourth place with 44 points after 25 matches.
On the continental stage, their CAF Confederation Cup run ended in the semi-finals against Tanzania’s Simba SC.
Barker has hailed one of the top performers for Stellies, Thabo Moloisane, stating he has been consistent throughout the whole season.
In the league, Moloisane has been a key figure in the defence over 23 appearances, contributing to 10 clean sheets, scoring two goals, and providing two assists.
Barker suggested it would be a surprise if such consistent form doesn’t earn him consideration for the league’s defender top honour.
BARKER EXPECTS TOP DEFENDER HONOUR FOR MOLOISANE
“Thabo has been superb throughout this whole season. He got his due sort of recognition by making the last Bafana Bafana squad,” said Barker.
“I’ll be very surprised if he’s not in line for the Defender of the Season award. He’s been consistent for us throughout the season, he’s been really solid.”
The Stellenbosch gaffer also stressed the importance of the team consistently keeping clean sheets in their games.
STELLIES GAFFER – ‘WE PRIDE OURSELVES IN KEEPING CLEAN SHEETS’
“We won 3-0 [in the last game against Golden Arrows], it’s important that we also look to keep clean sheets, we pride ourselves in keeping clean sheets,” he added. “So, it was good not to concede.”
Aiming to secure a third-place finish in the league for the Confed Cup spot, Stellenbosch will be seeking for positive result when they travel to face Mamelodi Sundowns at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium this Sunday, 11 May.
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