Barker hoping Stellenbosch’s positive start continues after Fifa break

Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker is hoping the two weeks international break hasn’t affected his team negatively following a positive start to the 2021/22 DStv Premiership season.

ALSO READ: Ntseki happy with Chiefs’ start to the season, sees positive progress

Barker’s charges have collected four points from their last two games, after playing to a 2-2 draw against Orlando Pirates and edging TS Galaxy 1-0 in the league.

Even though the break comes with the danger of the team losing it’s momentum, Barker is glad that it gave some of his Stellenbosch players time to heal from injuries, while others are still out.

“It is always good to get off to a positive start, we are happy with the start that we had. The break, uhm, it is good to continue playing after winning. But we are used to the league having this kind of breaks, but we have used it to work on areas we can get better at and continue improving,” said Barker.

“It was also an opportunity get players back from injury like Solly Khunyedi, Marc van Heerden. So, it allowed us to integrate them and get some friendly matches under their belt. So, that is the positive. Unfortunately, Robyn Johannes, Granwald Scott and Alan Robertson are carrying knocks so they won’t be available for the Sekhukhune game.”

The Cape Town-based team coach says they have done their homework on Sekhukhune, who are coming into this game after securing their first three points of the season when they beat Maritzburg United 2-0 in their previous league game.

“They are a bit of unknown quantity, but we were able to get footages of their previous games. We were able to analyse them, they seems to be very well organised, defensive team with a good structure. They are a difficult team to breakdown and they come off from positive result against Maritzburg. I’m sure they are confident of playing at home and getting a result against us.”

Stellies will next face Sekhukhune United at their new home ground, the Ellis Park Stadium, on Saturday.