Barker upbeat about new campaign after frustrating season

After overcoming a season of frustrations, Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker hopes for a change of fortune in the new Premiership season.

“It was a season of a lot of frustrations, and the log table does not lie. We lacked the goal poacher and lacked that number nine. We created a lot of chances but failed to convert them. We signed Judas [Moseamedi] from Maritzburg, and we hope that he will solve our problems. We expect him to score a lot of goals for us and keep their opposition defence on their toes,” Barker told Sowetan at the PSL season launch at the FNB Stadium on Wednesday.

The Western Cape-based outfit survived relegation on the last day of the 2020/21 season.

They ended their campaign in 14th place with 29 points from 30 matches last season.

However, Barker believes that they can collect more points and finish in a higher position.

There is an air of optimism in the Stellies campaign, and the players are upbeat about the new season.

Barker's charges start their new DStv Premiership campaign with a visit to Orlando Pirates at the Orlando Stadium tomorrow at 3pm.

Last season they played to a 1-1 draw in their opening fixture against Pirates in Soweto.

In the corresponding fixture in Stellenbosch, the two teams played to a dull goalless draw.

Pirates lost 2-1 to Swallows in the MTN8 quarterfinal at the same venue last week, and Barker watched the Soweto derby to get an idea of what he can expect in their opening league game.

But things are expected to be different at Bucs as assistant coaches Fadlu Davids and Mandla Ncikazi take over the team after the departure on Monday of Joseph Zinnbauer.

Barker hopes to add more misery to the wounded Soweto giants and collect the maximum points.

He is confident that his team will give a good account of themselves in their first league game of the season.

“We are targeting a great start and the players are full of confidence. We are ready for Pirates,” added Barker.