Stellenbosch eye MTN8 showdown as turning point in their season

Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker has his sights firmly on the MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates, viewing it as a chance to revive their season after a sluggish start to the Betway Premiership.

Coming off a third defeat of the campaign — a 1-0 home loss to Mamelodi Sundowns — Stellies sit on just four points from their opening five games, a challenging start for a season that carried high hopes.

It hasn’t helped that their early fixtures included tough contests against Orlando Pirates (1-0) and Kaizer Chiefs (2-0). Despite these league struggles, Stellenbosch have shown stronger form in the MTN8, where they now prepare for the final against Pirates at Mbombela Stadium on September 13.

As the season pauses for the Fifa international break, Barker believes the cup run offers a welcome chance to reset momentum.

“It’s important to us that we look forward to the final that is coming up,” Barker said.

“If we didn’t have the final it would be a tough Fifa break, but we do have something to look forward to. Obviously, there is a lot of work still to be done in the league.”

The Stellies coach also drew confidence from glimpses shown by several of his players despite recent setbacks, and believes they will contribute even more after the break.

“Over a period of time I have had a chance to see what we have available — Thapelo Mokobodi getting some (game)  and showing some qualities, Mthetheleli Mthiyane now settled in, and Bradley Mojela coming back from a long-term injury and finding his feet.

"It’s just about using this Fifa break to regroup, and ensuring that in our next league matches we pick up a lot more points.”

In what serves as a repeat of last year’s final, Stellies will hope fortune favours them this time against a Pirates side that controversially beat them 3-1 in the 2024 MTN8 showpiece. The Cape Winelands outfit have continued their rise under Barker, marking their third cup final in as many years, having lifted the inaugural Carling Knockout competition in 2023/24 and reached the semi-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup last year.

Looking ahead to the much-anticipated clash, Barker relished the opportunity to contest another final and the boost it could give his team for their league campaign.

“There is heightened excitement and energy. All players want to be playing in finals, and the build-up to the match will be 100% once Bafana Bafana finish with their matches," said Barker.

"It’s nice to play in a final in a full stadium with the national anthem being played. There will be a big buzz around the squad, and it will be an opportunity to rectify our poor league form, win a trophy and from there focus on the league campaign.”