sportskeeda
Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker recognized that his team was “completely outclassed” by Orlando Pirates in the extra time of the recent MTN8 final.
Barker also mentioned that the substitutions he made did not yield the required effect, leading to their 3-0 defeat at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday.
While Stellenbosch displayed commendable performance throughout the first 90 minutes, the game’s dynamics shifted significantly during extra time. The Pirates sealed their victory with two goals from Tshepang Moremi and one from Tshegofatso Mabasa. This marks the second consecutive MTN8 final in which Pirates have emerged victorious over Stellenbosch, following a 3-1 win at Moses Mabhida Stadium last season.
In a post-match interview with SuperSport TV, Barker reflected on the match, stating, “I felt that for much of the first 90 minutes, neither team significantly outperformed the other.” He believed the game was tightly contested and that his squad had a chance to secure a win. “We had opportunities where we could have snatched it. They had their chances too, but I genuinely felt it was evenly matched.”
Barker elaborated on his tactical decisions during the second half. “There was a moment in the second half where we appeared to gain momentum. At that stage, I thought, ‘Let’s really push forward,’ and made some substitutions, but they didn’t have the intended effect.”
He further discussed the downturn in extra time, stating, “We still felt we could push on and potentially win, but unfortunately, they simply outclassed and outperformed us during that phase.” The initial goal put his team in a challenging predicament. “Once the first goal was scored, you instinctively try to get back in the game, but that can leave you vulnerable at the back. Then came the second goal, and it became a daunting task; they managed the remainder of the match exceptionally well.”
Despite the lopsided scoreline, Barker maintains it does not fully represent the match. “The 3-0 score doesn’t accurately depict the contest, but to be fair, they were the dominant side in extra time. Based on that, they deserved their victory.”
