Barker Urges Stellies To Reset Ahead Of Gallants Clash
Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker has emphasized the importance of his side regrouping and refocusing ahead of their Carling Knockout quarter-final clash with Marumo Gallants at Dr Molemela Stadium on Wednesday (19:00).
The fixture in Bloemfontein comes just three days after Stellies’ emphatic 4–1 victory over 15 de Agosto in the CAF Confederation Cup qualifying round at Athlone Stadium on Sunday.
“It’s not easy. So, hopefully a little bit of rotation kept some players a bit fresh, hopefully for Wednesday, that they can have an impact,” said Barker.
Stellies won the first edition of the Carling Knockout in the 2023/24 season when they defeated TS Galaxy at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on penalties.
Wednesday’s match is the Western Cape side’s fourth in eleven days, as they look to advance in the knockout competition.
“You know, people like Thapelo Mokobodi, he’s suspended, so he’s not available for Wednesday, so it was good for him to be playing.
“Devin Titus has played a lot of minutes. It was good to give him a bit of a rest. The travel is not easy,” added Barker.
Stellies will face a tricky side, in the form of Marumo Gallants, who secured their spot in the quarterfinals after defeating current Betway Premiership champions, Mamelodi Sundowns, after a 7-6 win on penalties.
Stellies’ win on Sunday also saw the influential Lehlohonolo Mojela continue to regain his form, as he was fouled in the opposition box, which resulted in a penalty, which Thato Khiba dispatched in the 20th minute to break the deadlock for Barker’s side.
“I had a good chat with Bradley [Mojela] early on in the week to tell him that he is slowly getting back. It was a difficult injury to overcome, and in terms of his full rehab, we are still getting there,” added Barker.
The 29-year-old forward underwent surgery in December 2024 after a recurrence of a pre-existing knee injury, which had kept him out of action since October of that year.
The former TS Galaxy forward has featured 13 times this campaign without finding the back of the net, but Barker has maintained that the forward is still regaining his sharpness.
“I always wanted to use the CAF preliminary stage qualification games for him to get those minutes, and on Sunday I was very pleased with his effort and his commitment, the energy that we all know Bradley can do in a typical Mojela moment, to create the penalty for us in the first half,” said Barker.
The experienced coach will be hoping that the influential Mojela can regain his full fitness and help his side fuel their momentum.
