Barker wants troops to bring A-game against Chippa
Stellies hope to extend winning momentum
Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker wants his side to bring the same stamina and fierceness they portrayed against Cape Town City when they face Chippa United.
The clubs meet in a DStv Premiership fixture at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday (3.30pm).
Stellies came back from a 2-0 beating to win 3-2 against Cape Town City in a Cape derby at the Danie Craven Stadium on Friday.
The win was a huge confidence booster for the team as they had struggled to clinch a victory in nine matches.
Before Friday’s triumph, Barker’s boys last won a league match in October, against Maritzburg United.
In wanting to keep the winning momentum going, the coach will require his players
‘‘ We need to just continue to show that consistency
to stage another upbeat performance against the Chilli Boys.
“I am really proud of the performance and I am relieved, obviously, because it was a much-needed win.
“If we can put in performances like this against Cape Town City we have to replicate that when we play Chippa away from home,” Barker said.
“The character they showed was really strong.
“There is still pressure – we are nowhere near where we want to be – but hopefully this can be what we needed to turn our season into a positive one.
“Consistency is always a challenge. This was a Friday night match under lights, a home crowd derby with television.
“It’s made for players to perform, that’s their stage – they had a good stage and they were able to perform.
“We know the challenge this week, maybe not a big crowd as the one we had on Friday, and it’s an away match and maybe it’s not televised, I don’t know.
“It’s about showing that deep character and I told the players during the week that the difference between good and great players is that great players never get tired.
“They must show that by never getting tired of working hard, wanting to win football matches, putting in performances like these and being one united club.
“Our backs were against the wall but our motto is ‘ We are more than football, we are one’. I think on Friday we showed we are a united football club, we need to just continue to show that consistency going forward.”