Stellenbosch head coach Steve Barker heaped praise on his players and assistant coach after back-to-back wins at Orlando Stadium to celebrate his 100th win at the club.
Stellies moved into third place after inflicting Pirates first defeat of the season in the league as they came into the game with a club record seven consecutive victories.
It moved them within six points of the high-flying Buccaneers, but the hard fought victory sealed with Devin Titus’ first half strike game after a gruelling trip to West Africa, returning to Cape Town and only arriving in Gauteng on the eve of the game at eSgodini.
“Pirates started really well, I think the first five to 10 minutes we planned for one or two things and then Mofokeng and Nkota played quite narrow and were able to find balls behind our midfield which caused us a bit of distress,” Barker said.
“I think once after 10 to 15 minutes, we started figuring it out, Genino Palace dropped deeper to take care of Mofokeng, and then our full-backs and wide midfielders just had to get to the full-backs before they got to the final third.
“We were a lot better structurally and the game settled for the half, we’re a team good on transition and once again showed, with the ball from Ashley [Cupido], a good pace in. behind to Devin [Titus] and it was a good finish, we got the goal we wanted.
“Then it was about keeping structure to try and maintain the lead, going into the half 1-0 up, then second half we came out with improved structure… Pirates had a lot of possession, a lot of half moments.
“Near the end, they had a big chance, went straight to Sage [Stephens] but I think we limited them to half chances, balls into the box, maybe it could have fallen for one them but I think we defended well – then on transition, we had moments to finish the game off.”
With the inspired display from his players who appeared to have left everything on the pitch, he signed out the tactical work of Wesley Sergel that helped them secure a fourth win over Pirates in the last 12 months.
“These players never cease to amaze me, their courage, their bravery, their commitment, their desire, we come off an extremely difficult week, came home Friday in Cape Town, then arrived last night here against a team that won seven in a row, in Champions League and a trophy in the bag for the season,” he added.
“They were very high in confidence and belief so for us to get a result, all credit must go to the players and efforts, they put in, Wesley Sergel, our assistant who is the tactician of the team and the way we set up the team was superb.
“So well done the players, massive victory, back-to-back wins at Orlando Stadium is very special, it’s my 100th win as a coach of Stellenbosch, so to do it here under these circumstances is very special.”
Stellenbosch now turn their attention to RS Berkane who they will host in their second Confederation Cup group stage game at the Moses Mabhida Stadium this weekend.
