Steve Barker dismisses relegation talk amidst Stellenbosch slow start | OneFootball

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Barker shrugs off relegation talks amidst poor run of form

Photo: Stellenbosch

Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker has poured cold water on suggestions that his team could be following a similar trajectory to fellow Cape club Cape Town City, who were relegated after a slow start last season.

The Cape Winelands outfit suffered their second defeat of the 2025/26 Betway Premiership campaign to Orlando Pirates in Soweto on Wednesday evening, stretching their winless run in the league to three games.

Barker’s men have failed to register a win in their opening three league outings for the first time in two seasons. Stellies fell to rejuvenated Kaizer Chiefs in their opening match, before settling for a share of the spoils with Magesi FC.

As a result, Stellenbosch find themselves in an unfamiliar residence as they are currently fixated in position 14 on the log standings. However, the Maroons’ mentor is not sounding alarm bells at this stage of the season.

“I wouldn’t say it’s a concern, I think it’s more mindful of that situation [relegation] that can possibly happen. I would be more concerned if we were looking like we are not competitive in matches,” Barker stated.

“I think obviously in the first game against Chiefs the red card let us down, we showed a good response, we showed that we are capable. Playing away to Magesi is never easy and obviously away to Pirates is never an easy fixture, so as you say.

While his charges have displayed a below par showing so far this term, Barker is confident they can turn things around, banking on their character, along with resilience and momentum shift as the season progresses.

“It hasn’t been an easy start, Gallants up on Tuesday and then Sundowns. I think we’ve got sort of enough character and resilience in our squad that we will get our opportunity where we get ourselves on a good run,” he added.

“So, I’m confident that there will be a stage from the next game onwards up until game 10 where we will get some momentum and hopefully some of the other teams will start playing each other and hopefully we can get an opportunity where we can get some good form – back-to-back winning games or an unbeaten run. So, it’s not a concern at this stage but we are mindful that could happen.