Barker hopes for Stellenbosch FC’s revival after beating Orbit College FC

Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker has reacted to his team’s first away win in this Betway Premiership season in South Africa.

The 10-man Stellies showed their strength of character, coming from a goal and man down to stun Orbit College FC 2-1 on Wednesday.

That first goal for your club feeling 😃#HeartoftheCape #MoreThanFootball #StellenboschFC 🍇 pic.twitter.com/9y189uIk0V

— Stellenbosch FC (@StellenboschFC) November 27, 2025

The Western Cape-based team needed late goals from Thato Khiba and Athenkosi Mcaba in the 89th and 92nd minutes to secure the win.

For the better part of the game, the Maroons seemed to be heading for their seventh league defeat when Mbulelo Wagaba scored for Orbit College.

The cause of the visitors was not helped by the dismissal of Thabo Moloisane, only for the CAF Confederation Cup participants to turn it around in a manner that impressed Barker.

“It was massively important for us to get the win in the context of the league, and great for us to get our first away win of the season,” the coach told his club’s website.

“Traditionally, we’ve been a good away team, but it’s been eluding us a bit this season, so hopefully this can be the start of many more away victories.”

What the victory means to Stellenbosch FC

Barker has since said he hopes the rare league victory on the road would spark his team’s revival amid the threat of relegation.

“Hopefully, that can give us confidence that we’re never out of the game and that if we keep pushing hard and never giving up, anything is possible. The hope is that these two wins can give us the trust and belief in what we are doing, and that we can just continue improving going forward,” he added.

The MTN8 finalists have struggled this season, and Wednesday’s result was only their third league win. They lie third from the bottom of the 18-member log table with only two points separating them from second-from-the bottom Magesi FC. Chippa United anchor the table with seven points from 13 games.

Stellies will now shift their focus to the next assignment for the group against Singida Black Stars in Zanzibar on Sunday.

The Betway Premiership team now occupies second place in the group on a goal- aggregate behind leaders CR Belouizdad who eased to a home 2-0 victory over Black Stars in Algeria on Sunday.