Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker was left disappointed after his side’s Nedbank quarter-final fixture against Kaizer Chiefs had to be moved to the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in the Eastern Cape.
Stellies have had their tightest schedule in the club’s history, having to compete in the CAF Confederation Cup and domestically on all fronts. The Cape Winelands side played more games away than at home this season, with stadium availability becoming a problem.
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At the beginning of the season, Stellenbosch played their MTN8 home leg in Durban, Moses Mabhida Stadium, following the unavailability of Danie Craven Stadium, DHL Stadium, and Athlone Stadium at the time.
It didn’t end there; they had to complete all their home matches in the CAFCC ‘home away from home’, using Loftus Versfeld Stadium and Moses Mabhida Stadium because Danie Craven did not meet CAF’s requirements.
After their 1-1 draw against Polokwane City in the Betway Premiership, Barker expressed his disappointment of playing the big Nedbank Cup quarter-final clash against Chiefs away from home again, which comes because Danie Craven does not meet the security standards for such a clash, while Athlone Stadium was not available because Stellies are hosting Orlando Pirates there less than 48 hours after their Chiefs clash, and DHL Stadium is hosting the expo for this year’s cycle tour.
“Number one, I have to make it clear, I am very disappointed we can’t play a quarter-final of the Nedbank Cup in front of our fans. It is not good for us as a team, and it’s not good for our fans, so it is disappointing,” Barker told iDiski Times.
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“Obviously, the first disappointment is not the first time, and it doesn’t seem like it’s gonna be the last time that there won’t be a stadium available for matches, so that’s disappointing.
“I believe the solution has to be found going forward, it’s just not conducive to continue not playing, even in your province and denying your fans that is a disappointment.
“Secondly, the other disappointment for me may be the league not finding a way to accommodate the fixture on Sunday. I don’t know what they could’ve done more; I just feel like, should it have been on the other foot, it would’ve been different. I am disappointed that we’re not playing a fixture like that here.”
