Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker has made a candid admission regarding the team’s current situation and performance, offering insights into the club’s challenges.
The Cape Winelands side is preparing to host Golden Arrows FC in a Betway Premiership match at Athlone Stadium on Wednesday, with kickoff set for 19h30. A difficult start to the season has seen Stellenbosch record just one win in nine PSL games, sharing spoils five times and suffering three defeats.
That has seen the Maroons occupy second place from the bottom with just six points, the same as basement side Chippa United, who have played a game more.
It is an unusual start for Barker’s men, who have, in recent seasons, challenged for the league title despite being a seller of top players to rival clubs.
TOUGH START FOR STELLIES, BUT SIGNS OF PROGRESS
Stellenbosch have kept things tight at the back in recent matches, keeping four consecutive clean sheets, something that makes the coach see that his side is beginning to find rhythm.
That includes avoiding conceding against Kaizer Chiefs in the Carling Knockout Cup Round of 16 with 10 men and a 0-0 draw away at FC 15 de Agosto de Akonibe in the CAF Confederation Cup.
“It has been a tough start to the season, but I believe there are definite signs that we are on an upward curve,” said Barker.
“We have not been conceding many goals of late, but we need to score more than we have been, so a lot of hard work has been going into that, to rectify that. We’ve got to remain positive and ensure that we get a positive result against Golden Arrows to help turn things around, and preparations have been going well to that end.
“We’ve obviously just got back from a long trip to Equatorial Guinea, but the players are upbeat, determined, and committed to getting a good result against Arrows, who we’ve enjoyed good results against in the last couple of years.”
RESPECT FOR ARROWS’ RUN OF FORM
Placed 10th on the table, Abafana Bes’thende arrive in Cape Town bubbling from a run of three straight wins, which include beating Mamelodi Sundowns in a league game and eliminating in-form Sekhukhune United from the Carling Knockout.
“This is a new game and a new challenge, though. They’ve made a decent start to the season, and they’ve got some good players in their team, so like any Premiership match, this won’t be easy,” added the former AmaTuks coach.
“We’ve got to put all our preparation into effect and deliver with the necessary intensity and commitment to ensure we give ourselves the best chance.”
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