Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker doesn’t believe having more players than Kaizer Chiefs in the Bafana Bafana preliminary squad can be a psychological advantage ahead of their Nedbank Cup quarter-final.
Hugo Broos announced his preliminary Bafana squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin later this month. Stellenbosch had five players named in the preliminary squad, while Chiefs only have one.
During the Nedbank Cup media day, Barker was asked if he would use that as a psychological weapon for the upcoming NBC quarterfinal in Nelson Mandela Bay.
“I always tell my players the better we do as a team, the more individualmaccolades, awards we will get,” he said.
“I think we have shown consistency over a certain period of time. When you are doing well as a team, there are more eyes on you, and individuals start to be seen.
“We are proud of ourselves to have many players in the provisional squad. A couple of players were recently here.
“Brian Onyango has been called for the Kenyan National team, as we have two players away for CHAN. It’s a reward for a club that has shown consistency and growth over a period of time.
“So I can’t say that that’s a psychological [advantage]. I think if anything, it might gee some of the Chiefs players up to show that they probably should also maybe be more considered.
“But it’s not like something that I’ve even thought about, to be honest.”
