Stellenbosch head Steve Barker believes three points against SuperSport United will guarantee them a top-eight finish in the DStv Premiership.
Stellies are coming from a massive win against Kaizer Chiefs in front of their supporters for the very first time this season, Deano Van Rooyen’s solitary goal was enough to give the Cape Town side all maximum points.
The ambitious outfit are aiming to finish in the top eight for the first time since their PSL existence with tenth place in the 2019/20 season their record finish to date.
“A massive results at home against Kaizer Chiefs in front of our fans for the first time at Danie Craven it’s important that we forget that,” he told the club’s media department.
“We’ve got a big game against SuperSport United it’s just protecting the players mentally to be prepared for a different type of occasion just as important it’s a massive three points on offer for us they are behind us in the league also looking to finish in the top eight and close the gap.
“This is the game of the season I believe if we can get a positive result three points from it we guarantee out the top-eight finish and then we can focus on trying to finish on the table as high as we can.
“So it is all about trying to get players back to zero refocusing and making sure that we are as up for the game against SuperSport as we were against Kaizer Chiefs.”
Barker gave an update on players’ availability after Juan Carlos Ortiz and Junior Mendieta were suspended for their previous game against Amakhosi, He also gave an update on players that are on long-term injuries who now are back in training.
It was a huge blow for Stellies to see their first choice goalkeeper Sage Stephens who picked up his fourth yellow card against Amakhosi, which means he won’t be available for the Matsatsantsa clash but mentioned the experienced Lee Langeveld is capable of carrying the team.
“It’s good our last game suspended was Ortiz and Mendieta so they return, in contention, unfortunately, Serge Stephens picked up his fourth yellow and he will not be available but we do have a very competent and capable Lee Langeveld to deputise otherwise everyone else is still coming back from a couple of long term injuries but are training people like Granwald Scott, Nathan Sinkala and Sibusiso Mthethwa”
Stellies will face Matsatsansa at what seems like a not happy hunting ground for the Cape Winelands side at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium Tuesday at 17h00.
