Barker Eyes ‘Good Things To Come’ After First Away Win
Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker is hopeful that their win over Orbit College will mark the beginning of better things to come after they finally secured their first away victory of the league campaign.
Barker’s men showed tremendous resilience, coming from behind with 10 men to claim a remarkable win at Olympia Park Stadium on Wednesday evening.
Late goals from Thato Khiba and Athenkosi Mcaba in the 89th and 92nd minutes sealed a memorable 2–1 Betway Premiership victory for Stellenbosch, who had been reduced to 10 players following Thabo Moloisane’s earlier red card.
The win lifted Stellies to 14th on the Betway Premiership table with 12 points from 13 matches, with Magesi dropping a place below them.
“It was massively important for us to get the win in the context of the league, and great for us to get our first away win of the season,” Barker said.
“Traditionally, we’ve been a good away team, but it has eluded us a bit this season, so hopefully this can be the start of many more away victories.
“And the manner in which it was done—being down a man and a goal at that stage of the match—to first get the equaliser, which was an incredible goal by Thato Khiba, and then to follow it up with the winner from Athenkosi Mcaba with his first goal, was just really special.”
Their inconsistent form this season has largely been influenced by the departure of key players during the off-season, including Fawaaz Basadien, the club’s Player of the Season, who joined Mamelodi Sundowns.
Barker continued: “Once again, the team showed a never-say-die attitude and great resilience. They just kept plugging away, and I knew that if we could get one goal, we could possibly get the second—even though we left it late as we did in our last match.
“Hopefully, this gives us confidence that we’re never out of a game, and that if we keep pushing hard and never give up, anything is possible. The hope is that these two wins can give us the trust and belief in what we’re doing, and that we can continue improving going forward.”
The schedule remains demanding for Barker’s side, who travelled from Polokwane to the North West for the Orbit College fixture.
They are on the road again as they face Singida Black Stars of Tanzania in their second CAF Confederation Cup Group C match at Liti Stadium on Sunday.
