Dropped points for Stellenbosch concern coach

Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker bemoaned his side conceding an early goal as they dropped points at home in a 1-1 draw with Richards Bay on Friday.

The stalemate meant Stellenbosch remain seventh in the Betway Premiership standings, forced to fight back in the second half and equalise through a Fawaaz Basadien penalty after Thato Mohlamme had given the visitors a second-minute lead.

“Look, obviously it's not a result that we had wanted to get at home against Richards Bay, but you never really cater for the start of the game that happened,” said Barker.

“It just obviously takes a lot away from the plans that you had. They got the goal and then obviously sat really deep, which made it more difficult for us.

Stellies deny the Natal Rich Boys three straight #BetwayPrem wins as the teams share the spoils🤝⚽#SSDiski pic.twitter.com/zllnmpN9aY

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) February 21, 2025

“We did try. I mean, one could see that we were just moving the ball, had a lot of possession, created some sort of chances here and there.”

Barker felt Stellenbosch were unable to create chances in the first half so he made three changes at the break, with Andre de Jong, Langlihle Phili and Lesiba Nku.

“I thought they had a good impact on the game. Second half was the issue of continuing doing what we were doing, keep moving the ball, keep getting it in the right areas, keep attacking, which we did.

“I felt that it just wasn't going to happen but then we got the goal. I think if we had scored a little bit earlier, maybe 10-15 minutes earlier, I think we would have left ourselves enough time to go on and win the game.

“Obviously, their threat was always on a transition, from which they had one or two big moments to get a winner. It wasn't lack of effort or commitment or trying to win the game, I think we done that, but obviously just a little bit of difficulty in managing the low block that they had,” Barker added.