Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker was full of praise for his charges after their comeback win over Mamelodi Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup.
A second-half brace from Iqraam Rayners saw Stellenbosch rally from behind to secure a 2-1 victory at the Athlone Stadium on Saturday evening.
Read: Sundowns' Nedbank Cup Defence Ended By Stellies
"One hundred percent agree, I told the players if you want to beat teams like Sundowns you want to win tournaments or cups like today, we need everyone to stand up and be counted and be leaders, fight for the badge, for the club, for the supporters, for Oshwin, for the families and their loved ones," Barker told SuperSport after the game.
"And every single one of them were for me the man of the match. I mean, the effort the guys put in the structure the defensive work, the covering, the pressing, creating opportunities. I think no one can deny this victory today.
Barker was pleased with how side reacted in the second half after going into the break one goal down.
"I think at halftime 1-0 down, we had to come out and dig deep and even first half we were causing some pressure moments and in the second half I think just that continued effort to put pressure at the right time.
"They are a team if you go too early (press) they play behind you, you become sort of pressurised. So, I think we had done that really well. Where we waited for the right moment and ja sometimes you also need a little bit of luck to win games like this.
"But I think the pressure, a little bit of luck, but most of all the heart that these players put in today was magnificent."
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