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Stellenbosch coach full of praise for his charges

rugby26 September 2024 06:55| © Backpage TXT
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Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker hailed his side’s performance as they thumped regional rivals Cape Town City 3-0 at the Athlone Stadium on Wednesday and sent out a stark warning to Orlando Pirates with the MTN8 final just over a week away.

 

A goal on halftime from Andre de Jong was followed in the second half by a long range wondergoal from Fawaaz Basadien and then a first for his new club from Sanele Barns.

Ashley Cupido had a penalty saved that was an opportunity for an even more handsome scoreline.

“Obviously a 3-0 result is really good, convincing sort of performance from us,” said Barker, whose team have now won seven of the last eight derbies against City.

“However, I do believe that the first 30-40 minutes, up to close to halftime, it was a very tight game. I thought both teams came out to play. A lot of chances were created. I believe that it was good for the fans and everybody to have seen both teams looking to play, looking to create chances. I felt it was very competitive.

“Obviously, we had one or two balls across the box which were close. They've had a really big chance which hit (Stellenbosch goalkeeper) Sage (Stephens) in the face, otherwise we would have been 1-0 down,” he said.

 

 

De Jong cracked home the opener for Stellenbosch with a swerving shot from the edge of the box and the New Zealand international was later named man of the match.

“I think getting the goal just before halftime obviously changed the game. I think it deflated them a bit, gave us a bit of a lift going into the change room.

“And then when Fawaz (Basadien) scored the goal from the halfway line, that just put us firmly in the front seat. I thought, thereafter we dominated the game. Looked real quality and it was good to see the team finish with almost everybody below the age of 24 on the field.

“There was good energy, good quality, good technicians on the field of play. I thought we saw out the game really well and didn't give them too many opportunities in the last 15-20 minutes. We put in a mature performance and to see out the game and keep a clean sheet, I think is a credit to the team. I think it shows that they are growing in their mentality.”

Stellenbosch are next up against Polokwane City away on Sunday and then meet Pirates in the MTN8 final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on October 5.

 

 

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