Stellenbosch is an area popular for its vineyards in the Cape Winelands where some of the best wine is made. However, something bigger has been brewing that is bringing excitement to this small town. Led by the man who has earned his stripes, having been in the trenches as a player for Wits University and Supersport he has aged well just like fine wine combining his experience both on and off the field to great effect.
Promotion with Amatuks in 2011/12 and Stellies in 2018/19
Steve Barker had his big break as the coach of Amatuks when he led them to Premier Soccer League promotion in 2012. He has always had an eye for unearthing raw diamonds and polishing them into shining jewels, as evidenced by the rich talent he built at Amatuks where the likes of Aubrey Ngoma, Thokozani Sekotlong were part of the team that achieved the promotion. He went on to achieve a top 8 finish in his debut season in the PSL which is no mean feat for a newly promoted side. He repeated the promotion feat with Stellies in the 2018/19 season making him one of the few coaches to lead two different sides to the PSL.
Stellies Style of play
Steve Barker is a man who has built his teams in a manner that ensures they do their basics right. He defends on a low block but moves quickly on transition with fast breaks in turning defense into attack executed to perfection by quick forwards to deliver a thunderclap of misery of epic proportions on the unassuming opposition before they get back in shape after an attack. Mamelodi Sundowns can testify to this as they attack with a different formation to their defending formation, Steve Barker took full advantage of this as Mamelodi Sundowns full backs, Mudau and Modiba regularly push forward to attack leaving the back exposed on the flanks, leading to Mojela, Titus, Adams and De Jong to combine and cause problems to the Mamelodi Sundowns back line.
Backroom Staff
Per the African proverb that says, “you hunt with your own dogs”. Steve Barker has maintained his backroom staff from his time at University of Pretoria “Amatuks” and when he went to Amazulu, the likes of Wesley Sergel, Evangelos Vellios (twice won the Varsity Cup with University of Pretoria and the Multichoice Diski Challenge with Stellenbosch FC) and reputable Goalkeeping coach Pernell McKop. Stellies are a very professional team that is not distracted by boardroom squabbles with a solid ownership structure backed by REMGRO via Stellenbosch Academy of Sport.
Ambition
Despite not having a huge budget Barker led Stellies to a Carling Black Label Cup win, the 1st cup win for the club founded in 2016 and a third place finish in the just ended season and has now qualified for the MTN 8 final to face Orlando Pirates. Stellies has been selling most of their top talent in recent seasons to other top teams in the league, recent transfers being of the likes of Iqraam Rayners, Sibongiseni Mthethwa, Junior Mendieta, Ashley Du Preez. Despite losing such great talent, Barker has still ensured that his team remained competitive by integrating his experienced players with the junior players coming from the solid reserve side that has won the MDC twice in recent years, such as the likes of Jayden Adams and Devon Titus. One thing about football is that it tells its own truth it doesn’t lie, although the focus is on the bigger teams with bigger budgets such as Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs ignore Stellenbosch at your peril.
+ There are no comments
Add yours