Steve Barker has shared some insight into the tactical approach that helped Stellenbosch FC record a Cape Derby win over rivals Cape Town City on Friday.

Stellenbosch FC retained bragging rights over Cape Town City after a first-half goal from Oura Anicet earned the Maroons a 1-0 DStv Premiership win over their neighbours at the Danie Craven Stadium.

Speaking following the result, which extended Stellies’ unbeaten run against City to six matches, head coach Steve Barker shared some detail on the tactics he and his technical team employed to nullify the Citizens’ threat.

“I’m obviously super proud and excited about the victory over Cape Town City,” Barker said.

“They are a really good team coming off a run of victories so we knew it would be a tough game, but if I had to pin-point what the difference was between the two sides, it was just the desire to want to win the game and the commitment from the players from Stellenbosch.

“Tactically, I thought we were really spot on. City are a team that want to play out from the back, suck you in and break lines, but the continued pressing and effort to close down their centre-backs, wing-backs, two-sixes and eights and then [Khanyisa] Mayo when the ball made its way to him, was really good.

Match report | Stellies claim Cape Derby bragging rights again

“It’s never easy when your tactics are to press a good ball-playing team because you can lose your shape, but the reward from doing it often and long enough far outweighed the risk of them playing out an opening up the pitch.

“They did do that on one or two occasions, but fortunately we dealt with it, and then we looked dangerous when we won the ball back and transitioned.

“They send their wing-backs high and leave 1-v-1 at the back, so we knew that with their back three of [Lorenzo] Gordinho, [Keanu] Cupido and [Mark] van Heerden, our joy would be to get turnovers and play the ball in-behind, turn them and make them defend and chase.

“I thought we did that effectively which then led to our goal, and to one or two other moments where we were perhaps just a bit unlucky not to finish the play. But, to sum it up, I thought it was a superb, committed and energetic performance.”