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Stellenbosch Football Club

Barker: Final-day defeat will not detract from a fantastic season

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Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker is not allowing a final-day defeat to Richards Bay detract from what has been a memorable season for the club.

On Saturday, Stellenbosch FC took on Richards Bay in Umlazi for a season-finale encounter that had massive ramifications at both ends of the DStv Premiership table.

For the team from the Cape Winelands, victory would ensure qualification to next season’s CAF Champions League, while Richards Bay needed to win to try climb out of the promotion/relegation play-offs.

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It was ultimately the Natal Rich Boyz who emerged victorious after claiming a 2-1 victory, and with Orlando Pirates earning a point in their fixture elsewhere, Stellies dropped to third on the log.

In doing so, the team missed out on Champions League qualification and instead booked their spot in the CAF Confederation Cup for next season.

“We knew the situation coming into the game that Richards Bay would be fighting for their lives, and because of that we knew that the first 15-20 minutes of the game would be crucial,” Barker reflected after the match.

“The idea was that if they scored early, they would have something to hold onto and fight for, so we wanted to start solidly but, unfortunately, when you concede two goals in the first quarter of the game, it makes it a difficult afternoon.

“I can’t complain about the effort though, especially in the second half when I thought we really applied pressure well, risked a bit, and got ourselves back into the game with a goal [from Iqraam Rayners].

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“Then hearing the scoreline on the other side [a 1-1 draw between Pirates and SuperSport United], you know that one more goal and a draw might be sufficient to secure second position. We tried our best, but it was not to be.

“That’s not going to take away from a fantastic season, having reached two semi-finals, won our maiden trophy, and qualified for Africa, but we fell one hurdle short at the end of the day, ending equal on points with a team like Pirates

“It is disappointing, obviously, as we had wanted to finish in second position, but congratulations to Richards Bay on their performance.

“They really fought for their points and unfortunately, both teams ended up being disappointed, but if they put the same fighting spirit and play the way they played today then I believe they will come through the play-offs and remain in the Premiership.”

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Barker admitted that he was disappointed his side would not be competing in next season’s Champions League competition, but that he was nonetheless proud of what Stellenbosch achieved during the club’s best-ever campaign.

“…We want to be playing against the elite,” he added. “But as I said, we won the DStv Diski Challenge, we won a cup, and we’ve made Africa, so we can’t allow the last few games to detract from what we’ve done since the first day of the season.

“Once we get over this result, we will be able to look back and be proud of what we have achieved, and if we get into this position again then the lessons learned over the last month or so will help us.

“You never grow and become better if you don’t learn from lessons, and we have learned some lessons, but it’s been a fantastic, incredible season.

“If you look at the number of nominations we received for the PSL awards and the way we have achieved what we have by punching above our weight and finishing equal on points with Pirates, with their squad and resources, then we have to be really proud.”