Steve Barker is hoping to right the wrongs of last season when Stellenbosch FC take on Marumo Gallants in a repeat of the 2024 Carling Knockout quarter-finals.

Having entered the 2024 Carling Knockout as reigning champions, Stellenbosch FC were unable to defend their crown last season after suffering a narrow defeat at the hands of Marumo Gallants in the quarter-final stage.

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The two sides have once again been pitted against each other in the last eight of this year’s competition and will go head-to-head for a spot in the semi-finals on Wednesday when they meet at Dr. Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein.

“We’re looking forward to playing in another quarter-final,” Stellies head coach Steve Barker said ahead of the match.

“It feels like a bit of deja vu because last season we also met Marumo Gallants at this stage of the competition away from home. Unfortunately, we fell at that hurdle, so we’re determined not to fail this time around

“Our first major trophy at the highest level came after winning the Carling Knockout, and that is still fresh in our memories, and we’d like to emulate that.

“We are coming up against a good team, away from home, but if you want to get into finals and win trophies, you have to beat all of the opposition that come before you.

“This is an opportunity for us to rectify last season’s loss against them and to get ourselves into the last-four.

“Preparations have gone really well, and we’re coming off two good results in our last two matches, so the enthusiasm, confidence, and belief within the team has risen and is where it should be again.”

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The Carling Knockout semi-final encounter between Marumo Gallants and Stellenbosch FC is scheduled to kick off at 19h00 at Dr. Petrus Molemela Stadium. The match will be broadcast live on SuperSport PSL 202.