Barker calls on Stelllies to refocus

by Staff Reporter

Monday Apr 28, 2025. 15:05

Stellenbosch head coach Steve Barker has challenged his players not to let their season peter out after losing to Simba in the CAF Confederation Cup semifinals on Sunday.

The Maroons were unable to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg in Zanzibar as they were held to a goalless draw at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, dashing their dreams of a historic final appearance.

However, Barker’s side still have something to play for in the Betway Premiership, as they look to secure third place, which would see them qualify for Africa’s second-tier club competition once more.

The Cape Winelands outfit currently occupy fourth spot, three points outside the top three, but they crucially have a game in hand on Sekhukhune United in third position.

Barker admits he has to pick up the pieces from the disappointment in Durban, but still believes they can achieve something “special” this term to build on their maiden MTN 8 final showing.

“Yeah I think I try to sort of just remind the players that football will have highs and lows and we’ll have setbacks and good times,” Barker said.

“So we’ve come off an emotional two-legged game against Simba. It was not easy in Tanzania. We have a 24-hour rule to get ourselves back to zero and we are on a minus three to four now from the disappointment.

“But we need to get back. We have a big game on Wednesday in the league and so it’s important for us to refocus. We’ve got less than a month to turn the season into a special season.

“So if we can manage to again qualify for Confed, having made the MTN final, having made the [CAF Confederation Cup] semi-final, I think we can then look back at the season as being a really, really good season. But as I say, it’s still a lot of work to be done.”