Stellenbosch head coach Steve Barker is expecting “big things” from Sanele Barns this season after a match-winning performance in the MTN8 quarter-final.
Barns scored twice – including a stunning 30-metre free-kick – to guide Stellies to a thrilling 3–2 extra-time victory at the DHL Stadium, securing the club’s third consecutive appearance in the semi-finals of the competition.
Barker, who believes the Bafana Bafana international has now fully settled at Stellenbosch following previous spells at Richards Bay and TS Galaxy, was full of praise.
The 27-year-old opened the scoring with a close-range tap-in and delivered the decisive blow with his long-range set-piece in extra time.
The performance continues Barns’ rich vein of form, having netted three times in the last five matches of the previous season.
Barns also seems to relish facing AmaZulu – his brace brings his tally to three goals in his last two games against them, including the winner in their previous Premiership clash at the Danie Craven Stadium.
“I think if you recall the season before he came to us he was nominated as one of the midfielders of the season, so now having a season (at Stellenbosch), I do believe that he would have settled in, and I’m expecting some really big things from Sanele,” said Barker.
“I believe that he’s going to have a big impact for us, as he did today (Sunday).”