Stellenbosch head coach Steve Barker praised his players for their 1-0 victory against Orlando Pirates in the Betway Premiership on Sunday, commemorating his 100th coaching win at Orlando Stadium.

Devin Titus broke free and found the net past Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine in the 33^rd minute, allowing Barker’s side to redeem themselves after their loss in the MTN8 final against the same team in October.

This victory represents Stellenbosch’s third consecutive league win over Pirates, following two wins from the previous season.

“Where should I start? Pirates had an impressive beginning. For the first five to ten minutes, we had a tactical strategy ready for one of two scenarios, but Releboholile Mofokeng and Mohau Nkota were operating narrowly, exposing gaps between Mofokeng, Nkota, and Patrick Maswanganyi, which put us under pressure,” Barker commented after the match.

“Nevertheless, we managed to adjust. Genino Palace fell back slightly to help contain Mofokeng, and our fullbacks, along with the wide midfielders, needed to solidify their positions before moving into our final third. Consequently, we organized ourselves much better, and the game settled down for the rest of the half.

“Naturally, we are a team that thrives during transitions, and this was clear once again with the ball played to Ashley (Cupido) that set up Devin for a perfectly timed finish.

“We accomplished the goal we set, concentrating on preserving our structure and maintaining the 1-0 lead until halftime.

“Pirates had a lot of possession, creating a few half chances, and near the end, they had a shot that went right to Sage Stephens. However, apart from that, we effectively restricted them to minor opportunities and defended strongly.

“I must emphasize how these Stellenbosch players never cease to amaze me with their bravery, dedication, work ethic, unity, and togetherness.”

Stellenbosch’s victory followed a tough 2-0 loss to Stade Malien in the CAF Confederation Cup. “We endured a tough week, traveling on Sunday and reaching Cape Town only on Friday. Then we had to journey again to face a team that has won seven consecutive league matches and already secured a trophy (MTN8) this season,” he explained.

Barker credited assistant coach Wesley Sergel for the team’s tactical setup.

“They were overflowing with confidence, so to achieve results like this, the players deserve all the credit for their hard work and assistant coach Wesley Sergel, who is a brilliant tactician. The way we organized the team was remarkable,” he stated.

“Hats off to the players; this is a significant win for us, and consecutive victories at Orlando Stadium hold immense value. I believe this marks my 100^th win as Stellenbosch coach, and achieving it under these circumstances is truly unforgettable.”