New recruit Sanele Barns (right) has impressed for Stellenbosch FC this season. Photo: HENK KRUGER Independent Media
Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker has fired the first shot in psychological offence by stating that his team can match the quality of Orlando Pirates in tomorrow’s MTN8 final.
The two teams will clash at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban (6pm kick-off) with ambitions of writing themselves into the history books.
With the stakes raised in this year’s competition, as R10 million prize money is on the line, Stellies and Pirates will place their great early-season records on the line.
📸 A quick flash back to the time Stellies attack proved to much for Pirates👀 🔥#MTN8Final #WafaWafa pic.twitter.com/oBgKv4zKOn
— MTN8 Wafa Wafa! (@MTN8) October 2, 2024
The Buccaneers are on the verge of becoming the first club in South African football to win the MTN8 three times in the row, having claimed it against AmaZulu and Mamelodi Sundowns in 2022 and 2023 respectively.
The Sea Robbers are also favourites heading into this encounter for not only their personal trophy cabinet, but also the fact that Stellenbosch will be competing in only their second ever major cup final.
Pirates’ desire to rise to the top of domestic football has been spearheaded by the talents of players like Monnapule Saleng, Patrick Maswanganyi, Relebohile Mofokeng and Tshegofatso Mabasa.
While Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro talked up his team ahead of the clash, Barker has also issued a stern warning towards the Sea Robbers by stating his squad has just as much quality to match them on the day.
Speaking to the media in Durban yesterday ahead of their match-up, Barker expressed that although he was wary of the Pirates arsenal, he felt he had just as much firepower going for him as well.
The Cape Winelands outfit boast such talents as Bafana players Fawaaz Basadien and Jayden Adams, as well as classy goalkeeper Sage Stephens, Andre de Jong and new recruit Sanele Barns.
The #MTN8 Final is just around the corner 🤩
— MTN8 Wafa Wafa! (@MTN8) September 30, 2024
Share your excitement with a GIF in the comments! ⬇️#WafaWafa pic.twitter.com/HcyUxRl5ta
“I believe that pound for pound, we have as many quality players. We also have match-winners in our midst, like Pirates do as well,” he said
He further added: “But one just has to look at their front four of Saleng, Maswanganyi, Mofokeng and Mabasa.
“I believe they are one of the best in their positions currently, so they’ve got that individual quality and sometimes tight games need that individual quality.
“But I believe we also have some of those players that can turn the game in our favour. We also have that individual brilliance to unlock a really good defensive unit like Pirates.”
Although Pirates pose strong head-to-head records against teams in the Premiership, they don’t have overall dominance over Stellies in recent years.
In fact, Riveiro’s only defeat in cup competitions since taking over at Pirates came against Barker in last season’s MTN8 semi-final.
Stellies have won three of their last five meetings with Pirates, including the last two, making this one of the most unpredictable fixtures on the SA calendar.
Pirates’ cup pedigree will once again carry them into familiar success grounds in Durban, while Stellenbosch look to emulate their previous season’s lifting of the Carling Knockout Cup, also in Durban.
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