Barker still confident in Stellenbosch’s ability to finish season strongly

Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker said he was still confident his club would make a strong finish to season despite a home loss to Kaizer Chiefs on Friday that saw them slip to eighth place in the Betway Premiership standings.

“I have no doubt I'll sit at the end of the season and we'll look at it as being a really successful season. But right now, it's just about getting through this little period,” he said.

But Barker was not pleased with his side’s showing against Chiefs.

“There are not too many thoughts to share. I think just obviously we weren't good enough, and to win football games in the Premier League you have to play better than we did.

“I think, obviously, after they got the early goal, I don't think there were too many clear cut chances for either team throughout the rest of the game.

“Had everyone just been a little bit more on top of their game, we might have come out of the press better, but us not being nowhere near our best and only losing 1-0, maybe deserved a little bit more.”

Stellenbosch had several key players out with suspension and injury.

“It is obviously frustrating, when you don't have (Fawaaz) Basadien, who was suspended or Sanele Barns who was suffering from illness and who is only now recovered and starts training this coming week.

“Also obviously, without Thato (Khiba), without (Lehlohonolo) Mojela and Kazie Godswill, who unfortunately had a boil just at the worst place on his shin which made him unavailable to play. (Khomotojo) Lekoloane also came back, also suffered a quite a lot of illness together with Barns, but he slowly got back, but was only really able to give us 20-25 minutes. So when you got five, six players of the ability and calibre not available, it is frustrating.

“I didn't even mention Ashley Cupido, who also picked up a knee injury, but I’ve said again to the players, we're going to have injuries, and it's your responsibility when you get given the chance, to take that opportunity,” Barker added.