Stellenbosch head coach Steve Barker remains optimistic about the future of the club and forthcoming success despite recent heartbreak in the MTN8 Cup.
Stellies failed to halt the dominance of Orlando Pirates in the competition after losing 3-1 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, falling victim to two stoppage time goals.
Barker had seen his men grab the early lead through Lehlohonolo Mojela in the first 12 minutes of the match but Pirates showed their cup pedigree to topple Stellies with goals from Monnapule Saleng, Tshegofatso Masaba and Relebohile Mofokeng.
#MTN8CHAMPIONS 🏆🏆🏆
— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) October 5, 2024
FT || @orlandopirates 3 - 1 @StellenboschFC
🥅 Saleng 44’, Mabasa 90+2’, Mofokeng 90+5’
🎤 Relebohile Mofokeng
🎤 Sipho Chaine
🎤 Josè Riveiro
⚫⚪🔴⭐#MTN8Final #OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/Js0bmdpJkM
The Cape Winelands based outfit were in their first ever MTN8 Final and did not look out of place for huge chunks of the match as they matched the more experienced Buccaneers for every stride.
Having claimed the Carling Knockout Cup last season, Stellies are on a special trajectory with six major cup semi-final appearances in their eight year existence.
Having come close to snatching the R10 million purse in the MTN8, Barker was gracious in defeat but sent a strong message to all tournament favourites by assuring them of his side’s relentlessness in the future.
"Congratulations to Orlando Pirates for what they've achieved, but they must know we're knocking on the door – we're not going to stop harassing, and we're going to keep pushing, and I believe we're going to get our time soon enough,” were the word of Barker at the post-match press conference in Durban.
Although Pirates were the favourites ahead of this encounter, Stellenbosch were not completely ruled out in being viable victors on the day.
However, a late collapse prompted by one of the most controversial refereeing decisions in recent cup final history saw Stellies fail to get over the line this time.
Barker welcomed the imminent international break as a good agent to refresh the minds of his players while looking forward to hopefully winning any of the other cup competitions on offer.
Stellenbosch are currently eighth on the Betway Premiership standings after three games and in the group stages of the CAF Confederation Cup in their debut season.
They will also look to defend their Carling Knockout Cup title and target the Nedbank Cup as well.
“One can’t cry over spilt milk for too long, we need to get over it, fortunately there’s a FIFA break now so it just gives us time to heal from the disappointment,” he expressed
“There’s a lot to play for, there’s a Carling Cup to defend that’s starting soon and there's a big task ahead of us in the league campaign so there’s still a lot to play for and we have a team of players that are young, determined.”
“This will be a setback and it will hurt but sometimes pain makes you grow stronger and it also makes you realise other things that you could’ve done better in the rest of the game. We need to stand up, dust ourselves off and go again.”