Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker optimistic ahead of Carling Knockout clash with Kaizer Chiefs

THE CARLING KNOCKOUT comes like an oasis in the desert for a Stellenbosch FC side parched by a seemingly unquenchable thirst for victories in the Betway Premiership and club coach Steve Barker’s delight at the change of competition is understandable.

Not even the fact that they are hosting a Kaizer Chiefs side they generally struggle to beat can dampen Barker’s spirits as he looked ahead to the start of a competition they’ve won in its inaugural season.

“Cup competitions are always really exciting. This is an opportunity for us to challenge for another trophy and it is nice to be playing first at home against Chiefs,” says the coach who has turned Stellies into a highly-competitive knockout side.

Their victory in the 2023 edition of the Carling Knockout might have been put down by some as luck, but they showed that was not the case by reaching back-to-back MTN8 finals in 2024 and 2025 even though they lost both to Orlando Pirates.

“When you’ve made a final like we did this year and lost out on lifting the trophy, firstly there’s lessons learnt but secondly it hurts and you want to rectify those wrongs. (The good thing is that) we have recently won this trophy and there are players in the squad who were in that team and that joy of lifting the trophy drives us to be the best that we can.”

 The good thing with the Carling Knockout is that it is the League Cup in which all of the top division’s teams get to participate.

“We are already in the last sixteen and one win, you are already in the quarterfinal; so close to another final and lifting the trophy. So we are very keen to make sure we advance to the next round. The mood is good, lots of energy and enthusiasm; everyone wants to be in the starting team.”

Stellies have already lost to Chiefs in the championship this season but Barker is confident they can turn the tables on Amakhosi.

“Look, obviously in the first encounter we got a red card early and it changed the complexion of our game plan. We want to keep all the players on the pitch this time. Chiefs have improved and they have very good individuals.

"So, we don’t expect anything but a tough game. It is going to be about us concentrating on what we are good at. The cup game gives us relief from the league campaign and an opportunity to get into the quarterfinal. So, we are ready for it.”