Barker: We Deserve To Beat Sundowns

Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker has asserted that his side deserved to defeat Mamelodi Sundowns and secure a place in the MTN8 final.
The Western Cape outfit clinched a 2-0 aggregate victory over Sundowns in the two-legged semifinal, with Lehlohonolo Mojela’s goal in the second leg proving decisive at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday.
While Mojela scored, but it could have been more if it wasn’t for the goal saving saves made by Sundowns goalkeeper Jody February, who was tested in the first and in the second half.
Jayden Adams thought he had scored later in the game after another searing pace on the break, but the Bafana Bafana international midfielder was flagged by assistant referee Zakhele Siwela.
But on the whole, Stellenbosch were the better side and they nullified Sundowns’ patient play that was never crispy, which was admitted by its coach Manqoba Mngqithi.
Stellies will now face Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 final on 5 October at the venue set to announced by league, and Barker made it clear that he wants to be played in Durban after the press conference had ended having had a good time in Durban in few weeks in the coastal city.
“I think over the two legs, we deserve to be in the final,” said Barker at the press conference.
“I think the players must take a lot of credit for their commitment and you could see the never-say-die attitude, the unity amongst the team, the willingness to work off and out of position.
“And in the last sort of 15 minutes left in the game, we were dangerous on transition and maybe a little bit unlucky here and there not to get the second goal to finish the game off.
“But be as it may, we are in another final and really congratulation to the players, mostly to the club.
“Unfortunately, we weren’t able to play in front of our own fans and this is for them not to be here. Hopefully, we can get numbers to the final for our own support. But really a good day for everyone at the club.”
While Stellies played the second leg away from home at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, but it is a venue that hold special memories as they won thei maiden trophy – the Carling Knockout trophy in Durban last year when they beat TS Galaxy.