Steve Barker is hoping to make winning silverware part of Stellenbosch FC’s DNA as his side prepares to take on the Carling All-Stars in Polokwane this weekend.

Newly-crowned Carling Knockout champions Stellenbosch FC will have the opportunity to add another trophy to the cabinet this weekend when the club takes on an all-star team in the revamped Carling Cup.

Speaking ahead of the encounter, Stellies head coach Steve Barker dismissed any notion of the fixture being treated as an exhibition match and stressed instead that it was instead another opportunity to breed a culture of success at the club.

“Preparations are going well,” Barker said. “The players had a couple of days off over the new year but are back in training and preparing well for Saturday’s challenge in the Carling Cup.

“The mood is upbeat after previously winning the Carling Knockout Cup and then following it up with a really good result away to Orlando Pirates, so we are looking forward to the match and it’s a great opportunity for us to win another trophy.

“There aren’t always many opportunities to win a trophy. We won our first major trophy as a club in the Carling Knockout and that was a great feeling. I’m trusting that a culture of winning will become part of our DNA so it’s important for us to take the game seriously and put our best foot forward.”

Stellies will face a unique challenge at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium where they are set to take on a team comprising players from the other 15 teams who competed in this season’s edition of the Carling Cup, with several DDC players included as well.

“These types of games are more about you as a team and what you can do with your own strengths, potential, and ability,” Barker concluded.

“It’s difficult to predict how the opposition will be, and what substitutes will be made, so from an analysis point of view it’s not the easiest match to prepare for. That means the important part is just making sure that we know what we are capable of and making sure that we do that with a professional performance.”

The Carling Cup All-Star team to face Stellenbosch FC:

Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs)
Jabulani Mokone (Orlando Pirates DDC)
Masibonge Ngidi (AmaZulu DDC)
Ramahlwe Mphahlele (AmaZulu)
Njabulo Ngcobo (Kaizer Chiefs)
Kagiso Mnguni (Orlando Pirates DDC)
Siphamandla Zikhali (AmaZulu DDC)
Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo (Orlando Pirates)
Mfundo Vilakazi (Kaizer Chiefs DDC)
Ashley Du Preez (Kaizer Chiefs)
Victor Letsoalo (AmaZulu)

Head coach: Jose Riveiro (Orlando Pirates)