Stellenbosch coach Barker confirms efforts to retain Chiefs & Pirates-linked star

Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker has confirmed the club is working to keep a key player who’s been heavily linked with an exit.

Barker was speaking after his side triumphed 2-0 over Sekhukhune United in the MTN8 semi-final first-leg that took place at the Danie Craven Stadium on Saturday evening.

He was asked after the match about the impressive display from Bafana Bafana centre-back Thabo Moloisane, and the professionalism he’s shown this season in spite of him being rumoured to leave next season.

Moloisane’s contract will expire in June next year and according to the reports, he’d leave the club after they couldn’t agree on new terms.

Barker lauded the former Maritzburg United defender's professionalism, saying Moloisane’s performances have been so consistent that he even deserved a Defender of the Season accolade last season.

He also mentioned that the club is trying to extend the player's contract past 2026, adding that the defender also wants to remain with the team.

BARKER ON STELLENBOSCH STAR – ‘WE’RE WORKING ON’ KEEPING HIM

“I think [showing professionalism] is more down to him as a character and the person that he is,” said Barker.

“I think Thabo is in his last year but I think it's not like he wants to be leaving. He actually would like to sort of continue. So, I think that's something that we are working on.

“But I think him as a person, as a character, I just have respect for a player that might be leaving and still putting in the shifts that he has. He’s played in every single game, every single minute.

“He should have been the Defender of the Season last year. I felt he was a bit unlucky not to get that but again he's shown his quality this evening [against Sekhukhune on Saturday]. So, yeah well done to him.”