Barker insists Stellies are ‘showing a lot of energy & enthusiasm’ ahead of Carling Knockout outing vs Chiefs

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Barker insists Stellies are ‘showing a lot of energy & enthusiasm’ ahead of Carling Knockout outing vs Chiefs
Image - Stellenbosch

Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker is determined to see his team get past Kaizer Chiefs on Sunday in the Carling Knockout Round of 16.

This weekend's meeting will be the fifth time the teams are going face each other across all competitions. The Glamour Boys have won all the initial games between them, which makes the fixture even more entertaining.

The most recent engagement was in the Premier Soccer league early in the season where Amakhosi registered a 2-0 win.

The mood is good

The experienced tactician is anticipating a good game against the Soweto giants, but is adamant his charges are well prepared.

“Cup competitions are always exciting, and the Carling Knockout is another opportunity for us to challenge for another trophy,” Barker said as quoted by the club's media team ahead of the match that will be played at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town.

“It’s also nice to be playing at home first and against a team like Kaizer Chiefs. The mood is good and we have prepared well, with the boys showing a lot of energy and enthusiasm.”

Everyone is keen to make sure we advance

In the 2023 edition, Stellenbosch beat TS Galaxy to win their first-ever major trophy in South African football. Coach Berker is convinced the experienced heads at the club can help the young ones achieve, once again.

“When you reach a final and lose out like we did in the MTN8 final [against Orlando Pirates] this year, you want to rectify those wrongs,” he cotinued.

“We also recently lifted this trophy, and there are a lot of players in this squad who were part of that team, and that all drives us to do the best that we can. It’s a very big and important match for us, and everyone is really keen to make sure we advance to the next round.”

Will Stellies avenge the inital loss?

Wandile Duba and Sage Stephens Kaizer Chiefs vs Stellenbosch
Image – Kaizer Chiefs

“In the first encounter, when we got the red card early in the game, it changed the whole complexion of the fixture,” Barker continued.

“But Chiefs have shown this season that they have improved and that they are very competitive. They’ve got some really good individuals and a certain way that they are looking to play, so we are expecting nothing but a tough game.

“It’s up to us to concentrate on what we can do and on what we’re good at. We’ve got to improve in certain areas, and we’ve been working hard on those in training, and hopefully, with it being a Cup game, we can take the opportunity to get into a quarter-final,” he concluded.

<!-- Author Start -->Willis Sob<!-- Author End -->

Willis Sob

Author

Willis Sob is an experienced journalist who has been in the game since 2009, covering major assignments around the continent.
His hunger for African football is unmatched, always getting the best angles and facts to feed the fans and quench their thirst.

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