Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker has dedicated his side’s progression to a first-ever MTN8 final to the supporters back home.

Stellenbosch FC advanced to the final of the 2024 MTN8 competition on Sunday after recording a 1-0 (2-0 aggregate) win over Mamelodi Sundowns at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

Although hosts for the second leg of the encounter, Stellies were made to play the semi-final tie in Kwa-Zulu Natal due to the unavailability of stadia in the Western Cape, but Barker was quick to pay homage to the club’s supporters back home.

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“…I think over the two legs, we deserve to be in the final,” the coach said. “The players must take a lot of credit for their commitment, their never-say-die attitude, the humility within the team, and the willingness to work off the ball and out of possession.

“We are in another final and I must really congratulate the players, mostly, and to the club. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to play in Stellenbosch or Cape Town in front of our home fans, so this is for those who weren’t able to be here. Hopefully, we will be able to get the numbers to the final from our home support.”

“Sunday’s victory over Masandawana saw the club extend its winning streak to five matches across all competitions since the start of the 2024/25 campaign, with the team having previously also recorded wins over eSwatini’s Nsigizinig Hotspurs and TS Galaxy.

“I think if you reflect on the start we’ve had, it’s been five matches and five wins in a row with four clean sheets,” Barker added.

“A massive encounter against AS Vita [in the CAF Confederation Cup] awaits us next in two weeks’ time, but we’ve had a really good and strong start to the season.

“We played TS Galaxy, who weren’t at their best due to their transfer ban, at home and needed to get a good result, which we did, and then sort of eased into the CAF competition with the opposition we had [in the form of Hotspurs], and got the job done.

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“To then go back-to-back against a team like Sundowns and not concede in 180 minutes of football is a credit to the players. Their commitment is of a really high level and this is the reward they will get if they continue to work hard and stay humble.”

Stellenbosch FC will play Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 final on 5 October, with the venue, kick-off time, and broadcast details set to be confirmed in the coming days.