Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker had nothing but praise for his players after securing victory over Kaizer Chiefs in front of their returning fans.
Stellies completed the league double over Chiefs for the first time thanks to Deano Van Rooyen's first-half goal on Saturday evening.
It was a memorable night for the home side as they welcomed their supporters back to the Danie Craven Stadium for the first time since being promoted to the DStv Premiership.
“What an evening, what a night here in Stellenbosch, I think the players can be really proud of what they have done this evening. The commitment, the work ethic, the game plan, the execution we had opportunities to make it 2-0, 3-0 and kill the game off we didn’t so we had to hold on a bit,” Barker told SuperSport after the game.
“But really proud to be able to beat a team like Chiefs at home in front of the supporters. I said to you before the game this was a house it is now a home.
“This is our home. Our fans will be here to support us. I can only congratulate the players for a fantastic performance.
When asked about how the game went tactically, Barker said, “If you look at the chances that Chiefs created they weren’t really many in the game. I thought that the tactics worked really well. They also came with a back-three, two wingbacks so it negated itself.
“They changed to a back-four I think it still suited us because we were able to get our wingbacks forward. So I think tactically we were really spot-on. But credit must be given to the players for executing really proud of them.
“It was very tough we had Jayden Adams, Ibrahim Jabaar still young 19 and 20-year-olds. Sibongiseni Mthethwa who was still playing NFD last season or this season still we only got him in January.
“I thought the energy, the vibe, pressing, closing in the game with runners was really outstanding so I knew that central area to deny the pockets of space for people like Khama (Billiat) and (Keagan) Dolly because if they get the ball and those pockets turn they can cause us problems. So well done to the players for executing,” he added.
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