Barker: I learned from Sundowns

By Benjamin Nyirenda

JOHANNESBURG -Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker says he studied Mamelodi Sundowns for two to three years while they were playing in Africa to learn how they do things to progress the team.


Barker was talking to the media on Thursday afternoon at the PSL Offices in Parktown, Johannesburg, ahead of their MTN 8 semifinals second leg against Sekhukhune United on Saturday at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.


Barker said that one of the best things he learnt from Sundowns is how they managed their games while playing in Africa as well as at home in different tournaments.

“Most certainly, we have learnt a lot there. It wasn’t long ago, maybe two, two-and-a-half, or three seasons ago. I always looked at Mamelodi Sundowns as the team in South African football that was above everyone else.

One of the things I realised about them is that the experience they gained on the continent in the way they managed games, the way they approach certain matches, whether it’s a home or away.

The experience that they gained over the years playing in the Confeds put them in good standing at the Club World Cup. So, I have always said that we also have to learn quickly. It must not take us two or three seasons to learn.

We had good experiences last year and it learnt us that you have to be resilient. What we have learnt is to overcome adversity and bounce back from setbacks. I believe that we are a team that does that well,” Barker told the media.

Barker further stated that they have to learn from the games they have lost so far in the league.

“In losing, if you don’t learn, don’t become better, and don’t grow, then there won’t be progression. So, we see Saturday as an opportunity to focus solely on the MTN, to ensure that we get into the final and once we are in the final, to take that game as a separate entity.

So, lets focus on Saturday and then after that have two important league games before we have the FIFA break and before hopefully the final. The matches to be played from now until the end of May in all the different competitions, and once again the Confed.

It is important that we manage the squad in a way that we keep players fresh, available, we keep them injury-free. For us as a club with a smaller squad than most other clubs, the key part is not over playing players and they break down and then we lose them for longer periods.

It is about game management of players and managing their minutes. On Wednesday, it was intentional with one or two of our decisions. It was good to get Bradley Mojela a start and good for him to get 45 plus 10 minutes.

He hasn’t started in over a year, so that was good. It is about managing certain situations and always trying to put a team that will win a match in front of you.

It was our intention last night, but unfortunately, it didn’t happen but we are looking at some players who didn’t start to be nice and fresh,” the coach concluded.

The semifinals will be played at the Peter Mokaba Stadium from 19h30 on Saturday evening.