Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker has lauded his players for executing their game plan well to hand Orlando Pirates their first league loss of the season.
Pirates had won seven straight league matches to move to the top of the table but met their waterloo against Barker’s men, who despite suffering in the opening minutes of the encounter, got it right to claim all three points.
Devin Titus scored the all-important goal in the 33rd minute for a tired Stellenbosch, who arrived back home on Friday from their CAF Confederation Cup assignment, and made their way to Johannesburg on Saturday for Sunday’s match at the Orlando Stadium.
“Pirates started really well, I think the first five to 10 minutes we planned for one or two things and then Mofokeng and Nkota played quite narrow and were able to find balls behind our midfield which caused us a bit of distress,” Barker told the media after the match.
How did Stellies contain Pirates?
“I think once after 10 to 15 minutes, we started figuring it out, Genino Palace dropped deeper to take care of Mofokeng, and then our full-backs and wide midfielders just had to get to the full-backs before they got to the final third.
“We were a lot better structurally and the game settled for the half, we’re a team good on transition and once again showed, with the ball from Ashley [Cupido], a good pace in behind to Devin and it was a good finish, we got the goal we wanted.
“Then it was about keeping structure to try and maintain the lead, going into the half 1-0 up, then second half we came out with improved structure. Pirates had a lot of possession, a lot of half moments.
“Near the end, they had a big chance, went straight to Sage [Stephens] but I think we limited them to half chances, balls into the box, maybe it could have fallen for one of them but I think we defended well – then on transition, we had moments to finish the game off.”
It was also the 100th win for Barker in charge of Stellies and he feels it was a special victory given the circumstances under which his team played while paying glowing tribute to his assistant Wesley Sergel for masterminding Pirates’ downfall.
Barker in awe of his players’ attitude
“These players never cease to amaze me, their courage, their bravery, their commitment, their desire, we come off an extremely difficult week, came home Friday in Cape Town, then arrived last night [Saturday] here against a team that won seven in a row, in Champions League and a trophy in the bag for the season,” he added.
“They were very high in confidence and belief so for us to get a result, all credit must go to the players and efforts they put in, Wesley Sergel, our assistant who is the tactician of the team and the way we set up the team was superb.
“So well done the players, massive victory, back-to-back wins at Orlando Stadium is very special, it’s my 100th win as a coach of Stellenbosch, so to do it here under these circumstances is very special.”
The win was also a morale booster for Barker’s men who will now take on RS Berkane of Morocco in their next match in the Confederation Cup on Sunday December 8.
