Barker pleads with Stellenbosch FC amid struggles

With the threat of relegation becoming increasingly real, Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker has made a passionate plea to his South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) team’s players.

Few coaches in the Betway Premiership have a puzzle Barker is dealing with: that of reconciling an abject run in the domestic league versus an impressive cup showing.

Coach Steve Barker has called for unity as Stellies return home for tomorrow’s #BetwayPrem clash against Siwelele FC ✊

Read the full pre-match interview ⬇️#HeartoftheCape #MorethanFootball #StellenboschFC 🍇https://t.co/NXzVGf7Y55

— Stellenbosch FC (@StellenboschFC) November 4, 2025

Now ahead of Wednesday’s Betway Premiership meeting with Siwelele FC at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town, Barker shared his thoughts on their form and that of the opposition.

“We still have the belief and faith in ourselves. Wednesday’s match against Siwelele is a very important match for us, and I’m positive that we can put in a big performance that will hopefully give us the best possible chance to get maximum points,” the coach told Arrows’ website.

“Siwelele are a newer name in South African football, but they have a lot of familiar faces in their squad. They’ve not had the easiest of starts to the season either, but they have settled in and are starting to get some good results of their own now.”

What message has Barker sent to his Stellenbosch FC players?

The seasoned coach then called for unity as Stellenbosch seeks to turn the corner in the PSL log table.

“Some of the results have not been forthcoming recently, but our performances have warranted that we should have gotten more from some of the games than what we did, so we just have to keep showing unity, positivity, and togetherness.”

Stellies successfully reached the CAF Confederation Cup group stages to build on a domestic cup run that saw them finishing as the 2025 MTN runners-up.

The 2024 Confederation Cup semi finalists were drawn against Algerians CR Belouizdad, AS Otohô from Congo Brazzaville, and Tanzania’s Singida Black Stars in Group C.

Barker’s team made it to the group stage after seeing off 15 de Agosto de Akonibe 4-1 on aggregate in the second preliminary round.

However, such form pales in comparison to Stellenbosch’s struggles in the Betway Premiership which sees them lying second from the bottom with just two wins in 11 games.