sportskeeda
Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker views the upcoming clash against Mamelodi Sundowns as an exhilarating opportunity to enhance their performance ahead of the Betway Premiership match scheduled for Wednesday at DHL Stadium (19:30).
The team from the Cape Winelands shifts its focus to the domestic league as they prepare to host Sundowns in Cape Town, following a successful trip to Angola where they secured a 1-0 victory over Lunda Sol in the CAF Confederations Cup.
Both squads approach this match filled with optimism, with Sundowns celebrating their first Champions League victory at home, thanks to a late goal from Iqraam Rayners that eliminated Raja Casablanca on Sunday.
Coach Barker emphasized the advantage of entering such an important match on the back of a notable win, particularly one marked by a robust team performance.
“Coming off a victory is always beneficial; it enhances confidence and belief. Given our performance and the chances we created, we can carry that momentum into the encounter with Sundowns. They too enjoyed a solid win over the weekend,” Barker commented.
This upcoming matchup is set to be thrilling, particularly given the fierce rivalry that has emerged between the two sides. Their last six meetings across all competitions have been closely contested, with each team claiming three victories.
While Barker played down the unique significance of this crucial encounter, he recognized the factors that highlight the game’s importance.
“Every match in the Premiership holds significance; however, taking on a top-of-the-table team like Sundowns is always a daunting challenge for us. We aim to contend for the league title, making such encounters monumental for our club,” he remarked.
Heading into Wednesday’s showdown, the Western Cape team has basked in the glory of two consecutive victories against The Brazilians, having won both legs of the MTN8 semifinal by 1-0 margins.
However, Barker pointed out that the upcoming match will present a different set of challenges, elaborating on the variables that influence this outlook.
“At that time, it was still early in the season for them, and they were experiencing coaching changes. We will be facing them now under different management.”
He went on to say, “A key player like Rayners was unavailable during the MTN, but he is now in fine goal-scoring form, and I believe they have fortified their squad since then. We have also made strides since those encounters, and past results carry little weight now; what truly matters is the match ahead.”
Despite facing some challenges along the way, Stellies remain in the title race, as a victory over Sundowns would elevate them to 19 points, placing them just two points behind leaders Sundowns and Orlando Pirates.
