Steve Barker and Stellenbosch are a match made in heaven and the relationship is a clear indication of what happens when there is a proper vision and project at a club.
Barker is in the Carling Knockout final with Stellenbosch and this has been a long time coming. After reaching the semi-finals of the last two knockout competitions, Stellenbosch now have an opportunity to get their hands on a first major knockout competition trophy in the top flight.
Barker's journey with Stellies started while they were still campaigning in the National First Division (now Motsepe Foundation Championship), winning promotion with the side.
Their first season in the top flight went quite well as they finished in the top eight, but the second one was not smooth. Despite the challenges, management at Stellenbosch did not press the panic button. This is something that I feel many PSL clubs can learn from because there are some who are too quick to get rid of the coaches they have.
They do not allow coaches to implement their plans and this does not help in the progression a club makes. Stellies, however, believe in the work Barker is doing.
Stellies have a way of doing their business and it's quite smart. They have never been the type of club to go out looking for stars, but rather go for what they need. In the last few seasons, after selling some of their best players to the more famous clubs of South African football, they have gone shopping at clubs such as Black Leopards, Baroka FC and Swallows to get talent.
On top of that, they have a solid academy which is producing players regularly and a few of them have gone on to make an impact in the first team. They are running the club well and Barker has made sure that he works well with the material that he has at his disposal.
Now they are in the Carling Knockout final and they have good chance of lifting the trophy. All the games they have played in the competition have been played away from home in this tournament and they have shown a great fighting spirit to get results which have led them to the final.
