Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker found positives in securing a point, despite the challenge of playing with 10 men, in their Betway Premiership clash against Orlando Pirates at Athlone Stadium on Tuesday.

Brian Onyango was sent off in the 35th minute after fouling Tshegofatso Mabasa, resulting in the visitors’ first draw of the season and further diminishing their chances of catching log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns in the Betway Premiership title race.

It was anticipated to be a difficult game for Pirates, as Stellenbosch had defeated them in the reverse fixture and had taken six points off them last season.

“I think sometimes the one thing I do when I get home and we’ve drawn a game and we haven’t won, I’m a little bit down, then my family will say at least I didn’t lose,” said Barker. 

“Then I always say, but we lost two points, but I think today (on Tuesday) is a different story. I think it was a point gained considering the circumstances and playing with 10 men for as long as we had to, so I think it’s a really good point for us against a really good team.” 

Barker stated that Pirates started the game strongly, but they adjusted by releasing their front players to apply more pressure.

“From a tactical point of view, I think they started the game very well,” he said.

“First 10 or 15 minutes were a little bit sort of giving them too much space with their two center backs, sort of playing close to the center circle, and then we were too much on the back foot.

“So the idea after 15 or 20 minutes, we were a little bit more brave in terms of releasing sort of the front players at the right time to put a bit more pressure just so they couldn’t get into our half as easily.” 

Stellenbosch FC, who are third in the table with 32 points after 20 matches, are looking to maintain their top-three position when they meet Sekhukhune United at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday at 17:45.