Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker has asserted that his team will not be discouraged by the MTN8 loss, affirming that they will bounce back in due course.
Barker’s men suffered a second successive MTN8 final defeat to Orlando Pirates on Saturday. A thrilling 3-0 win at the Mbombela Stadium saw Pirates lift their fourth consecutive top-eight competition title.
After holding their own for the full 90 minutes, Stellies were demolished by late Pirates substitutions in extra time. Two goals and an assist from Man of the Match Tshepang Moremi were enough to kill the cup dream for the second time finalists.
Speaking in the post-match interview on SuperSport TV, Barker shared his thoughts on the game, stating that Stellies could have won the final.
“I think in open play, in the first 90 minutes, there was no better team in the game. We could have maybe stolen it. They could have maybe got something, but I thought it was an even match,” said Barker.
He further elaborated on the extra time sucker punch, emphasising the danger of trying to push for an equaliser.
“I thought, well, we are going into extra time. We still looked like a team capable of going on and winning it, but unfortunately, they just outclassed us and outplayed us in extra time. Obviously, once you concede the first goal, you try to get back into it and you get caught a little bit short,” elaborated the Stellies gaffer.
STELLIES COACH STEVE BARKER VOWS TO RETURN STRONGER AFTER FINAL LOSS
With local and continental fixtures coming thick and fast, Stellenbosch does not have time to hold onto the cup defeat.
With five games having already been played in the past month, Barker’s league campaign resumes in just three days. The MTN8 runner-ups are set to travel to KZN for an away clash against AmaZulu FC on Wednesday.
Barker stressed the importance of quickly moving on from the MTN8 results and shifting their focus to the Betway Premiership.
“Obviously, we play again midweek, so yeah, we have to get over this as quickly as possible. We have to be proud of making it to another final. But we have got to take lessons learned today [Saturday], and we will be back,” he said.
He concluded by stating, “Yeah, I guess our league campaign needs to be started, so we need to get up, bounce back and be ready for Wednesday.”
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