Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker has expressed his long-held desire to win the MTN8 title, regarding it as the pinnacle trophy on offer in South African top-flight football.
At 57, Barker is preparing for a high-stakes clash with Orlando Pirates at Mbombela Stadium this Saturday. He came close to realising his dream last season but was overpowered by Pirates 3-1 at Moses Mabhida Stadium during last year’s MTN8 final.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, the Stellies mentor revealed that winning the top eight trophy has been his unwavering goal ever since the club’s promotion to the Betway Premiership.
“You can ask the club, you can ask the players, the day we got promoted to the PSL, I said to the players that the best trophy to win in a season is the MTN8, cuz you’ve earned it,” said Barker.
The club expressed hardships trying to reach a top-eight finish, as it took them two seasons to finally attain a spot in the top eight, finishing fourth in the 2021/22 season. The club has yet to finish in the bottom eight since then.
“It’s not easy to get into the top eight, especially when we started out in the PSL, and I’ve told them I’ve always had a dream and a vision personally to lift this trophy,” he continued.
“So personally, my desire to lift this MTN8 is higher than any other trophy. I believe that lifting the MTN8 is just really special.
“I have a vision, I’ve seen it, I’ve lived it, I’ve wanted, and I’m sure the players are on the same mission as me, which is to go there and to just really go and play with our hearts and our sleeves, do things differently, be brave, and be courageous,” Barker concluded.
The team from the Cape Winelands has scores to settle with the Sea Robbers, in 2023, they were knocked out in the semi-finals by Pirates on their way to lifting the trophy.