sportskeeda
Steve Barker, head coach of Stellenbosch, praised his team for their 1-0 victory over Orlando Pirates in the Betway Premiership on Sunday, marking his 100th coaching win at Orlando Stadium.
In the 33rd minute, Devin Titus made a break and scored past Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine, as Barker’s squad avenged their earlier defeat to the same team in the MTN8 final in October.
This victory signifies Stellenbosch’s third consecutive league win against Pirates, following two wins from the previous season.
“Where should I start? Pirates had a strong opening. In the first five to ten minutes, we prepared a tactical response for a couple of scenarios, but Releboholile Mofokeng and Mohau Nkota operated closely, finding spaces between Mofokeng, Nkota, and Patrick Maswanganyi, which placed us under pressure,” Barker commented post-match.
“However, we managed to correct it. Genino Palace dropped back slightly to help contain Mofokeng, and our fullbacks along with wide midfielders had to be more decisive before moving into our defensive third. Consequently, we organized ourselves much better, and the game stabilized for the rest of the half.
“Naturally, we are a squad that thrives in transition, and once again it was evident with the ball played into Ashley (Cupido) that set up Devin for a well-timed finish.
“We accomplished the goal we set, focusing on maintaining our organization and preserving our 1-0 lead until halftime.
“Pirates did have considerable possession, creating several half chances, and towards the end, they had an attempt that went directly to Sage Stephens. Yet, aside from that, we managed to restrict them to minimal chances and defended well.
“I want to highlight that these players from Stellenbosch continue to impress me with their bravery, dedication, work rate, unity, and togetherness.”
Stellenbosch’s victory followed a tough 2-0 loss to Stade Malien in the CAF Confederation Cup. “We experienced a demanding week, traveling on Sunday and arriving in Cape Town only on Friday. Then we had to travel once more to face a team that has won seven consecutive league matches and already secured a trophy (MTN8) this season,” he noted.
Barker expressed gratitude to assistant coach Wesley Sergel for the team’s tactical setup.
“They were filled with confidence, so achieving results like this is all thanks to our players’ hard work and assistant coach Wesley Sergel, who is a fantastic tactician. The arrangement of the team was exceptional,” he remarked.
“Kudos to the players; this is a significant victory for us, and back-to-back wins at Orlando Stadium are incredibly meaningful. I believe it marks my 100th win as Stellenbosch coach, and accomplishing it under these circumstances is truly unforgettable.”
