Stellenbosch are looking to be just the fourth team to have the name etched on the revamped Carling Cup trophy when they take on the Carling All-Stars on Saturday.
Steve Barker’s team earned this right after beating TS Galaxy in last month’s Carling Knockout and will now face a select-team coached by Jose Riveiro.
For many years only Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs competed for the trophy, but in 2022, Mamelodi Sundowns became the third team to win the Carling Cup, when it became a four-team competition. But this year the structure changed again, and now Stellies will have an opportunity to build on their CKO success.
The team have been training hard for this fixture after a short break, and Barker says things have been going well.
“Preparations are going well,” Barker told the club’s media department.
“The players had a couple of days off over the new year but are back in training and preparing well for Saturday’s challenge in the Carling Cup.
“The mood is upbeat after previously winning the Carling Knockout Cup and then following it up with a really good result away to Orlando Pirates, so we are looking forward to the match and it’s a great opportunity for us to win another trophy.
“There aren’t always many opportunities to win a trophy. We won our first major trophy as a club in the Carling Knockout and that was a great feeling.
“I’m trusting that a culture of winning will become part of our DNA so it’s important for us to take the game seriously and put our best foot forward.”
Barker also shared his thoughts on Saturday’s opponents, with the PSL All Star XI voted for by fans and made up of six DStv Premiership players and five DStv Diski Challenge stars.
“These types of games are more about you as a team and what you can do with your own strengths, potential, and ability,” he added.
“It’s difficult to predict how the opposition will be, and what substitutes will be made, so from an analysis point of view it’s not the easiest match to prepare for.
“That means the important part is just making sure that we know what we are capable of and making sure that we do that with a professional performance.”
With only Jayden Adams unavailable due to being part of the Bafana Bafana squad, Barker will have almost a full contingent to select from.
