Steve Barker confident tough lessons will strengthen Stellenbosch

Stellies have endured a tough run in the early stages of the campaign, registering just one win in nine league matches along with three draws and five defeats.

However, Barker insists the challenges have been amplified by a demanding fixture schedule that has pitted them against top opponent's multiple times.

"We’ve already played 14 matches across all competitions, and out of those, we’ve faced Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, Sekhukhune United, and AmaZulu twice each," Barker was quoted by Sowetan.

"That’s a tough schedule for any team, especially at the start of the season."

While their league form has been underwhelming, Stellenbosch have excelled in cup competitions — reaching the MTN8 final and advancing to the Carling Knockout quarterfinals after defeating Chiefs on penalties.

Barker believes those achievements are proof that the team is progressing, even if results have been inconsistent.

"We must not forget the positives. We’ve shown we can compete in big matches, but now it’s about translating that same belief and momentum into our league form," he said.

The Winelands side are also balancing continental football, with a CAF Confederation Cup tie against 15 de Agosto of Equatorial Guinea on Saturday. Barker hopes his team can build confidence from their cup exploits before the AFCON break in December.

"These tough matches will make us stronger. If we can stay focused and keep improving, the second half of the season will be ours to push on," he added.