Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker has expressed his belief that his side’s Carling Knockout win against Kaizer Chiefs can bring a change in their fortunes this season.

Barker’s men defeated the Soweto giants 5-4 in the penalty shootouts to advance to the quarterfinals of the competition over the weekend.

Barker hopes this win can kick-start their season as they are currently sitting third from bottom in the Betway Premiership with six points after nine matches, having won only once.  

“Yes, I think sometimes you need wins like this just to give you confidence and belief in ourselves, and what we are doing in our processes,” said Barker.

It was a tightly contested affair, as it was a goalless stalemate after 120 minutes.

It was Stellenbosch’s fourth consecutive match in which they finished goalless, with the side from the Winelands snapping a five-game winless run that began with their 3-0 MTN 8 final loss to Chiefs’ rivals, Orlando Pirates.

“So, when you are not winning as many games as you would want to be, it does show a little bit of sort of, you know, doubt, that confidence drops a little bit,” added the former AmaZulu mentor.

Whether or not Barker’s side has regained its confidence will be determined after the international break, as they will take on Equatorial Guinea’s 15 de Agosto FC at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, 18 October [16:00].