Stellenbosch head coach Steve Barker has explained why the club’s new signings didn’t feature in the 3-2 extra time victory against AmaZulu in the MTN8 on Sunday.
Stellies, who will play Sekhukhune United in the semi-finals, only had one new face in their squad against Usuthu, with Siviwe Nkwali, who signed a pre-contract with the club in January, coming off the bench.
But Barker explained that their absence was due to work permits and registrations not being completed.
“I think we had up to six players not available through registrations, not all our own fault, obviously, work permits.
“We’re waiting on three of our foreign players’ work permits to get finalised. Hopefully, that will be next week.
“And then, you know, other signings that we brought in, in Thapelo Mokobodi, Mtiyane and Muzo Khanyi also weren’t registered for today, but two of them only arrived on Thursday, Friday, so it left us little time.
“Unfortunately, with Muzo was just a bit of a TMS problem that we encountered with Hungry Lions. But I’m trusting and hoping that next week we can get everybody registered, and then I do believe that we’ll then have a really balanced squad all around the field.
“We’ve got some really exciting players that we brought in, and sometimes it’s more also making sure that you hold on to players as well, which is as important, which I believe we’ve been able to so, ja, looking forward to the season with a with a good, balanced squad full of youth, exuberance, enthusiasm and quality.”
While Barker has lost two key defenders in Oliver Toure and Fawaaz Basadien, the coach said he is not too concerned, as they had already planned for their exits, and Henri Stanic and Turan Manafov have been signed to fill those voids in the squad
“I don’t think that really will affect us at all,” Barker explained.
“I think, as I said, you know, we’ve got Henri Stanic, a really good centre back. We’ve signed as well as Turan Manafov. I do believe that they’ll add experience and depth to our defence.
“Siviwe Nkwali, who I didn’t mention earlier, has also been brought in, has really shown a lot of good signs at training.”
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