Stellenbosch set sights on top-three finish again

Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker does not hold out any hopes of a tilt for the title this season but says a successive third-place finish in the Betway Premiership is possible.

Stellenbosch were pipped to second place last season by Orlando Pirates in the closing stages of the campaign, but this season are well off the pace of the top two on the table – defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns and Pirates.

Stellenbosch have 24 points from 16 games and sit in eighth place but have games in hand which could allow them to catapult up the standings.

“If you look at the log table, I think Pirates and Sundowns are in a league of their own this season. You know, they're even showing that on the continent, they're really good powerhouse teams currently,” said Barker, whose side dropped points at home on Friday when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Stellenbosch.

“So, we've got to believe that we can finish in the top three. That has to be our target, and we have some key games coming up at home on Tuesday (against Magesi) and Friday (against Polokwane City) and then away to Marumo Gallants the following Tuesday.

“So, there’s a lot of football to be played. We've just got to be a little bit more ruthless, whether it's just street-wise, whether it's just to create the moments better.

“We need to win these types of matches, which we didn't against Richards Bay, but then we got three points which we probably shouldn't have got against TS Galaxy,” he said of last Tuesday’s come-from-behind 3-2 win at the Mbombela Stadium.

“So, it evens out a bit. But yeah, the next two home games are key for us,” Barker added.