Barker Proud Of Moloisane’s Century Of Appearances
Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker expressed his delight with his team’s winning start to the CAF Confederation Cup Group Stage campaign and reserved special praise for Thabo Moloisane.
Stellenbosch put an end to their three-game losing streak with their 1-0 win against AS Otoho at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday.
“I think obviously, besides the CAF competition, league situation, defending, and being solid is important. Defending lays the foundation to win games and attack opposition, but if you are not defending well and conceding, it makes it a bit more difficult,” said Barker.
“So, it is part of our process that we need to be working on, and I felt that worked well.
“There were times when we were on the ball where I felt we were a little bit not good enough, a bit too nervous, trying to play the final pass too early. You could see that it is a team that is lacking a little bit of belief and confidence right now, but it is a process that we are working on.”
Stellies clinched the win in the 93rd minute through Ashley Cupido, who got on the end of a through ball from Thato Khiba before toe-poking the ball into the bottom corner.
The encounter at Peter Mokaba Stadium also marked a century of appearances in Stellenbosch colours for Thabo Moloisane, who joined the Western Cape side from Maritzburg United in 2023, after the latter were relegated from the top flight of South African football.
The Mamelodi Sundowns academy product has proven himself as one of the best central defenders in South Africa, shrugging off his initial struggles at Maritzburg United.
Barker was quick to convey his congratulatory remarks for the 26-year-old South African international, whose contract will expire at the end of the season.
“I am very proud of Thabo. People may recall that he had a tough season with Maritzburg when they got relegated. We picked him up along with Genino Palace from Maritzburg, and since then, Thabo has played 100 games. He is the only player to reach 100 that has started in every game; a lot of the other players reached 100 but came on as substitutes.
“So, for him to have started 100 games for the club is a really good and proud moment for him. He has done really well for us and got himself in and around the Bafana team. He is a solid professional, hard working, he is very committed, he is a winner, and I am really, really proud of what he has achieved while with us,” added Barker.
Moloisane will be hoping to aid Stellenbosch’s efforts to change their fortunes, as he was also included in Hugo Broos’ 54-man preliminary squad for the AFCON in Morocco this December.
