Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker says losing a player like Sihle Nduli to Orlando Pirates is not easy but is confident they have players to step up to the task.
Nduli, 29, joined Pirates after the expiry of his contract at Stellies, ending his three-year stint with the club, having joined from TS Galaxy back in 2022 and formed an impressive partnership alongside Sibongiseni Mthethwa.
Nduli racked up 104 games and helped the club win their first top-flight trophy with the Carling Knockout Cup and scored the winning goal against Zamalek in the CAF Confederation Cup that saw them reach the semi-finals of the competition.
“Whenever you lose players like Sihle it’s never easy, he’s regarded as one of the best sixes in the league, but at the same time we have a very strong midfield with the other players we have from last season all still here,” Barker tells iDiski Times.
“Obviously we have also promoted one of our youngsters Vuyo [Andrieas], and there’s Genino [Palace], Ibe Jabaar, there’s Chumani [Butsaka], Thato [Khiba], we really feel we have good depth, balance and we wish Sihle well. He deserves the opportunity he has got.”
The latest move from a player to the traditional big-three proved testament to their recruitment and coaching, with Nduli arriving as a rotational player during his time with the Rockets and eventually emerging into what Barker described as one of the best holding midfielders in the league – a role he transformed into when ‘Ox’ joined Kaizer Chiefs.
“I think the ability to find these hidden gems in the league, I think it started with Ox Mthethwa, he came in and so did Sihle – Ox went on to Kaizer Chiefs and then Sihle got his opportunity, showed his ability,” Barker stated.
“But what I liked about Sihle was his commitment, attitude and desire to win, and then willing to accept the role he had in the team, and then play to his own strengths, which he done very well.”
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