Stellies look to top up their tank
STELLENBOSCH head coach Steve Barker has revealed that the club are planning on refurbishing his squad for their continental expositions next season.
Stellies hold second place with an eight-point gap between themselves and fourth-placed Sekhukhune United in the DStv Premiership, guaranteeing them at least a place in the CAF Confederation Cup next season.
“We are mindful of it (the squad depth required), we will address it and ensure that we are able to compete on all fronts next season,” Barker told the media after his side’s stumble against Moroka Swallows.
The Cape Winelands-based club struggled to find their best version at the Dobsonville stadium, conceding two goals and also blanking for the second league game in a row.
Barker, who has guided the side to their best top-flight season ever, ushered his team out with the same faces that have featured largely throughout the season.
However, he believes the demands on his squad had a part to play in his team’s failure to secure all three points against the Dube Birds.
Stellies’ last two games will be difficult as they face unbeaten champions Sundowns next before closing off the season against relegation-threatened Richards Bay in Durban. Barker admitted that their loss against Swallows was a huge blow in their ambitions to play in the Champions League for the first time in the club’s history.
However, he wouldn’t be made to concede defeat if direct rivals Orlando Pirates were to win their game later on.
Stellies, in second, have accumulated 50 points in 28 matches and are closely followed by the Buccaneers in third, who have 49 points at this stage of the season.
He said he and his charges would place all hands on deck for the final two games of the season, with expected twists and turns.
“As we speak we’re currently second (before Pirates played Richards Bay) in the DStv premiership, with two matches to go, there’s still a lot to play for. A lot can still happen.
“An obvious setback for us to finish second in the league, but in no way will we lose any hope and give up any opportunity that will still come our way,” the 56-year-old head coach said.