Stellenbosch FC Head Coach Steve Barker has expressed his delight to be back in the MTN8 final this weekend as his troops will square off to face three-peat MTN8 champions Orlando Pirate at the Mbombela Stadium on Saturday,13 September at the domestic cup showdown kicking-off 18h00 South African time live at SuperSport PSL Channel 202 and SABC 1.

“Obviously really excited to be on the final once more and highly motivated – but not only myself the but the whole club, technical stuff, support stuff and the players” Barker told the journalists on Wednesday ahead of the MTN8 Final against Orlando Pirates on Saturday.

“We just need to remember that it’s not always every season that you get into a cup final – when you get into a cup final you need to take the opportunity that has presented itself. I think people tend to forget that getting into MTN8 final is not easy its starts the season before making sure that you get into the top eight which we did,”

“We then fortunately got a home quarter-final then we got past  AmaZulu then we got past a good team in Sekhukhune and to get to the final with Pirates firstly I think we deserve it – we earned the right to be in the final and I think it’s now up to us to make use of this opportunity that presented itself. Something that we worked hard for so yes lot of excitement, lot of anticipation, lot of energy from the players in training,”

Steve Barker on reaching third final in three years and officiating concerns

“Cup final week is always a special week – it’s something that coaches, players and clubs want to be competing at the highest level. And winning trophies is always part of every footballers dreams hope fully we can make that dream come true – It’s 30 years ago I won the BP Top 8 as a player. It’s now the MTN8 hopefully I can win it as a coach as well.”

“it’s all goes down to you giving 100% control what you can control. ensuring that in your preparations you control what you can and in the match, you control what you can control – obviously the disappointment of last season was the massive controversial decision that changes the end of the game. Again I hope that this final the best team wins it’s not decided for either team – either way in a controversial moment.” Concerned Steve Barker Concluded.