‘It’s our home game now, and our responsibility to get a result,’ Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker said about facing Kaizer Chiefs. Photo: BackpagePix
Stellenbosch FC are plotting to inflict more pain on Kaizer Chiefs tonight (7.30pm kick-off) after own goals spared their blushes in their midweek Premiership clash against AmaZulu.
Despite home-ground advantage at the FNB Stadium, Chiefs were unable to score against battling AmaZulu, who had to settle for a 2-2 stalemate after they scored two own goals.
First defender Ramahlwe Mphahlele headed the ball into his net while trying to deal with a Chiefs corner.
Later in the match, by which time AmaZulu had taken a 2-1 lead, goalkeeper Richard Ofori knocked the ball into his net while trying to gather Glody Lilepo’s powder-puff parting shot.
These two gift goals avoided an embarrassing situation for Chiefs, who were still reeling from their Soweto Derby defeat a few days earlier.
Tonight, Chiefs will play their third game in seven days against Stellenbosch FC at the Athlone Stadium.
Stellenbosch have the huge advantage of being well-rested after their midweek clash against Royal AM was postponed.
In their last outing, they were held to a 1-1 draw by hosts Sekhukhune United last Saturday.
Coach Steve Barker said he expected a “refreshed mood” to prevail in the Cape Winelands camp after a week-long break from competition.
Pushing hard in preparation 👊 pic.twitter.com/A2JwkBNtxS
— Stellenbosch FC (@StellenboschFC) February 6, 2025
“We are excited and looking forward to the opportunity to play again. It’s been a while since we haven’t had to play midweek and then weekend. We’re looking forward to a nice, refreshed mood in the camp,” said Barker.
“Match preparations have been going well. Playing against Chiefs is always a special occasion. The game is also a great opportunity for us to get maximum points.
“This will see us getting up the log table where we want to be. A victory becomes massively important for us.”
Last month, Chiefs scored a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Stellenbosch at the FNB Stadium in a fairly evenly-matched contest.
The visitors seemed better placed to win the match after they managed 11 shots on goal against five from the Amakhosi.
“We’ve played Chiefs away recently, but unfortunately, we didn’t get the result we wanted,” said Barker.
“It’s our home game now, and our responsibility to get a result.
“We are a team, looking where we are on the log table, that getting maximum points against them will just put us in a strong position with still a couple of games in hand.”
Thoughts from coach Steve Barker ahead of Friday's clash against Kaizer Chiefs 💭✌️ pic.twitter.com/HIMi9qmLSL
— Stellenbosch FC (@StellenboschFC) February 5, 2025
Barker has been easing the newcomers into the team, and at the time, this has given him a chance to rest his key players.
One of the new players, Cheswyn Philander – who made his debut a few days ago against Kruger United in a Nedbank Cup match – showed that he is ready to make the step up.
After Stellenbosch were trailing 1-0, Philander was called off the substitutes’ bench to help the team stage a fight-back, which materialised at the end of 90 minutes. He could again be on the bench for the Chiefs match.
“I think it was a good debut for me and a good experience to play in front of our fans,” said the 21-year-old Philander. “It was special to make my debut, and even more so to do it at Danie Craven Stadium.
“What stands out for me the most, though, and what gives me the most confidence, is that the coaches trusted me in that moment, with us 1-0 down, to come on and affect the game. That trust and belief is very special for me.”
Chiefs fans in the Mother City will catch their first glimpse of newcomers such as Tashreeq Morris, the DRC-born Glody Lilepo and Thabo Cele, a defensive midfielder.
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