Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker has voiced concerns regarding the team’s lack of squad depth to cope with the demanding match schedule in both local and international competitions.

Stellies experienced their second consecutive defeat in their ongoing CAF Confederations Cup campaign, losing 3-1 to Morocco’s RS Berkane at Moses Mabhida on Sunday.

With a relatively unseasoned squad of 29 players, the absence of a rotation strategy between matches appears to have taken a toll on the Winelands club, who have participated in more competitive games (20) than any other team in the Premier Soccer League (PSL).

In contrast, their league rivals Mamelodi Sundowns boast a squad of 41 players and have successfully implemented a comprehensive rotation system since the season’s commencement. The Stellies coach is convinced that an expanded squad would greatly benefit his team, particularly given their participation in several tournaments.

“It offers an advantage; people often overlook that we’ve already played 20 matches since August. By the end of the year, we anticipate completing 10 league matches, meaning from January to May, we’ll have an additional 20 league games alongside the CAF and Nedbank,” remarked Barker.

The coach, a finalist in the MTN8, emphasized his perspective, stating, “It’s not a simple matter, and I must concede that it’s unrealistic to just rest seven or eight players. It involves selecting the right players based on the situation and specific matches, necessitating a strategic approach to navigate the challenges, learn swiftly, and aim to rectify our mistakes as we move forward.”

While managing a constrained squad, the Durban-born coach has also lost a key player, forward Lehlohonolo Mojela, who will be sidelined for the remainder of the season due to a knee injury.

Barker elaborated on the implications of this injury setback, highlighting the significant impact Mojela could have had in the CAF matches and expressed his hopes for potential new signings during the January transfer window.

“We still aim to compete in this tournament next year, so we need to pursue a top three finish. I genuinely believe that Mojela’s absence is substantial. He is a perfect player to face North African teams given his speed and aggression. We deeply miss him, and we hope to bolster the team a bit in January, especially in light of the demanding schedule from January to May,” explained the 56-year-old.

Despite a tough start to the CAF Confederations Cup, Barker remains optimistic about qualification for the knockout stages. Stellies will strive to revive their chances when they meet CD Luanda Sul of Angola in what the coach has termed a cup final next Saturday in Luanda.