Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker says they were fully focused on their Betway Premiership match against Polokwane City on weekend despite the looming MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates.
Stellenbosch were held to 1-1 draw in the league by Polokwane on Sunday. The Winelands side went in front via influential new signing Lehlohonolo Mojela before Thabang Matuludi equalised for the home side.
The result left Stellies eighth in the standings following a mixed bag of results in the league thus far. While they have shone in the MTN8 and in the Confederation Cup qualifiers, they have only managed one win, a draw and a defeat in the Premiership.
Stellenbosch take on Pirates in the MTN8 final in Durban on Saturday, looking for the club’s first piece of silverware after coming close on quite occasions over the last few years.
“I think our mentality was to see the game before us and play the match on a different occasion going into the nicest stadium with a full crowd final,” said Barker.
5 - Lehlogonolo Mojela has scored five goals in eight appearances for Stellenbosch, as many as he managed in his last 20 appearances at TS Galaxy. Blessing. pic.twitter.com/YhwjodeSjA
— OptaJabu (@OptaJabu) September 29, 2024
“I'm sure our level of motivation will be high to perform better than we did against Polokwane, but it's uncomfortable to come here on a Sunday evening and play against this team in these conditions.
“I can't falter the commitment and I can't think the players had one eye on [Pirates' match], I think we tried to win the game by pushing numbers forward and we also exposed ourselves at the back.
“We don't want to come here and play for a point, we want to win as many games as we can.”
Mojela has been on fire for Stellies so far this season, slotting five goals in all competitions since making his move from TS Galaxy in July.
Mojela is fast becoming one of their most important players, and Barker hopes he can kick on this season.
“Bradley [Mojela] has been really good for us. He is getting on the score sheet scoring good goals. It is nice that he is scoring and playing with a lot of confidence. You know he is a handful for any team,” said Barker.
“He has a lot of energy, a lot of movement and pressing and adding goals. He is a formidable player for us.
“I am happy for him; he was booked earlier in the game, so it was risky to leave him on and maybe get a second yellow card. But hopefully, his goalscoring may continue.”
@JohnGoliath82