Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker is asking for patience on new striker Ashley Cupido and is happy that he finally scored his first goal.
Cupido joined Stellenbosch from relegated Cape Town Spurs at the beginning of the season. The former South Africa junior international seemed to be struggling settling in at Stellies in the first few games as he didn’t do pre-season with them having only joined after the season had already started.
The 23-year-old striker finally scored his first goal for the Cape Winelands side in their 2-0 against Chippa United at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium mid last week. Barker was pleased to finally see Cupido on the scoresheet and stated that it would give him confidence and his teammates will be confident in him as well.
“I think Ashley is gonna score goals, he is a proven goalscorer,” Barker told the media.
Join the iDiski Times WhatsApp Channel for all latest SA football news directly to your phone.
“When you change clubs, you come from a club that was relegated to a club that is challenging.
“It is never easy, but we just have to be patient with him, and I’m really pleased that he’s got his first goal. I think that will just open the flood gates give him that confidence, confidence from his teammates.
“Bradley Mojela is out for a couple of weeks, we need players like Ashley to step up and do what he has done tonight.”
Barker also previewed his side’s next match against Marumo Gallants, insisting they focus on the Betway Premiership game first before switching attention to their Carling Knockout tie.
“The fact that we are playing in Cape Town is advantageous to us in the first game,” Barker added.
“It is a league match and there are league points on offer, so one has to find a way to compartmentalize. We have to focus and not think about the cup game, get the job done, and then wake up on Friday morning to start thinking of the next one.
“There is no preference between the two because ideally, we want to win both.”
