Stellenbosch Football Club head coach Steve Barker believes that the experience of their last two semifinal losses will come in handy in the Carling Knockout Cup semi-final against Richards Bay.
Stellies have lost two semifinals already this year, losing in the Nedbank Cup to Sekhukhune United in May via penalties, and then four months down the line, they lost the two-legged MTN8 semis to Orlando Pirates on the away goal rule.
The longest-serving coach in the Premier Soccer League stated that they took their lessons and they’ve paid their school fees.
“Yeah, I think it’s important just to take our lessons learned, two semi final losses, both penalties and away goals. So it was difficult to swallow at the time.“ Barker told iDiski Times.
“I think that those experiences will give us, the knowledge how to approach a third semifinal in a short space of time. So, that’s what happens in life.
“Sometimes you don’t overcome certain obstacles, but the important part is to learn from those experiences and make sure that the next opportunity you get, you take it with both hands.”
These two sides already faced each other this season and the Cape Winelands side came out victorious winning the clash by 2-1 at Danie Craven Stadium.