Stellenbosch head coach Steve Barker has identified areas Orlando Pirates improved in the new season under the new coach Jose Riveiro.
The Buccaneers opened their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Swallows FC as debutant Bienvenu Eva Nga scored the solitary goal. The Soweto giants played with intent defensively and in the attack.
Nkosinathi Sibisi and Tapelo Xoki, who signed from Golden Arrows and AmaZulu, respectively, were preferred in defence as Pirates look to find a solution to their leaky defence that conceded 28 goals in the DStv Premiership last season.
“They[Orlando Pirates] have shown definite signs of improvement with the way that they’ve played and obviously really solid at the back. With the centre-back pairing already solid, they come off a win, so they’ll be wanting to take that momentum to Wednesday,” Steve Barker told the media.
The former University of Pretoria mentor also shared their plans to hand the Soweto giants their first defeat of the season.
“We have to impose ourselves. It is our home game, so we have to put in a performance that puts us in a position to take all three points,” added the tactician.
Stellies opened the season with a 0-0 draw against Marumo Gallants at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday. The Cape Town-based side finished fourth on the log in the previous campaign, which was their highest ever finish since gaining promotion to the top flight of South African football in the 2018/19 season.
They will be looking to maintain their fine form from last season despite losing some of their best players, including Ashley Du Preez and Zitha Kwinika. The duo joined Kaizer Chiefs and have featured in their two matches of the season.
Stellenbosch takes on the Sea Robbers on Wednesday at Danie Craven Stadium. Both teams look to collect all three points. Kick-off is at 7:30pm.
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