In a battle for supremacy, tempers could flare in the MTN8 final, following conspiracy theories that a decision by Stellenbosch head coach Steve Barker disadvantaged Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns.
Ahead of the MTN8 quarter-final against TS Galaxy, Stellies were already in discussions with Pirates over the transfer of their captain Deano Van Rooyen.
After being named as a substitute against the Rockets, it appeared that the Western Cape side had resigned themselves to losing Van Rooyen and did not want to have him cup tied or getting injured.
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However, with Stellies leading 3-1 against Sead Ramovic's charges, the veteran tactician introduced 'DVR' in the final five minutes and as a result, the 27-year-old was cup tied after he was eventually announced by Pirates a week later.
"No, he's had a bit of niggle the last couple of days – so it was a little more precautionary, plus also the conditions of the pitch," Barker explained why he eventually played Van Rooyen in the last five minutes.
"We've always said we want to keep our best players as we feel we are a team that can challenge for honours in the league – and our intention is to work as hard as we can to make sure we retain our squad."
For the record, Stellies also started Iqraam Rayners against Galaxy, despite talks going on behind the scenes for his transfer to Sundowns.
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The Maroons have become an ambitious club, despite selling their best players and after tasting success in the Carling Knockout nine months ago, Barker has been credited by conspiracy theorists for being wily by making sure that Rayners and Van Rooyen do not immediately boost their new teams in the MTN8, in a battle for a R10 million prize money.
Whether Barker did it on purpose or not, in hindsight, it benefited Stellies immensely that they did not get to face Rayners twice against Sundowns in the MTN8 semi-finals. And now ahead of the MTN8 final, Stellies won't face Van Rooyen.
However, Pirates would have an ace up their sleeve, after they recruited former Stellies performance analyst Devon O'Brien, who knows the Cape Winelands outfit inside, out, in the off-season.
