Steve Barker warns against complacency ahead of Sekhukhune tie | OneFootball

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No room for complacency against Sekhukhune, says Barker

Photo: Darren Stewart/ Gallo Images

Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker has warned his troops against complacency ahead of the second leg of their MTN8 semi-final clash against Sekhukhune United at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday.

The Cape Winelands outfit heads into the game with a two-goal cushion as they claimed a 2-0 victory over Babina Noko in the mother city last Saturday, thanks to goals from Kazie Enyinnaya and Devin Titus.

With the deciding match on the horizon, Barker highlighted that Stellies have a good record in two-legged affairs but cautioned his team against resting on their laurels as he draws lessons from their debut campaign in the CAF Confederation Cup.

“Obviously, having played home and away ties last year in the MTN8 with Sundowns, and then obviously we had six in the Confed, we know we have a good record. The only one that we did not come through home and away was against Simba and we also learnt from that occasion,” he said.

“So, what we know and what we have noticed is that never ever think the job is done until it’s done. We cannot become complacent; we cannot believe that a 2-0 lead [is secure]. If anything, in my opinion, we are going to start the game on a clean slate.

The Maroons mentor urged his charges to approach the match with a winning mentality as he anticipates a tough test from Sekhukhune, who have voiced their ambition to lift a first-ever domestic title in the South African topflight.

“We’ve got to approach it with a positive mindset; we’ve got to be able to take the game to Sekhukhune and ensure that we don’t just allow them [the spaces in behind]. Obviously the first 20 or 30 minutes will be crucial,” Barker added.

“I’m sure they will be coming out to hopefully get a goal to put themselves in a position to take the game to penalties or maybe they have other ambitions to take it further. So, we cannot go there and expect that they are not going to cause us problems, they are a good team.

“[Keletso] Makgalwa is a really good player, [Bradley] Grobler is a good finisher, [Vusumzi] Mncube has shown he’s a good finisher. They’ve got good experience at the back but at the same time we’ve learnt and grown as a team in these types of competitions.