Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker says it’s crucial for the club to retain their best players this January.
The DStv Premiership side lost a number of key players that helped them secure fourth and sixth place finishes for the past two campaigns.
The likes of Junior Mendieta, Olwethu Makhanya, Ibraheem Jabaar, Vusi Sibiya, Sibongiseni Mthethwa and Sinethemba Mngomezulu all left Stellies this season, while Ashley du Preez and Zitha Kwinika departed a term earlier.
Swallows are currently in 11th place on the league standings, having recently been crowned Carling Knockout Cup winners, and now face a important few weeks as the January transfer window opens.
Speaking to iDiski Times, Barker explained that he is happy with the quality of his team but feels he could always do with more “depth”.
He said: “I feel for the first time as a coach at Stellenbosch we have the ability to have depth, I remember two three seasons ago when making subs we were bringing Jayden [Adams], Devin [Titus] , Antonio [Van Wyk].
“But they were still babies, they were still young, and it was tough at that stage, we just couldn’t affect games because of the lack of experience but that perseverance, belief and trust in them is starting to show.
“We’ve added good quality so it’s nice for me as a coach that I can change things tactically, bring on people who can change the game for us, so that’s changed.”
Barker added: “As a coach, this is what I want, I want more depth, more quality because I believe if we can keep this squad we have, add one or two others in January, a really good signing then maybe in the next window not lose any players, then I don’t see any reason why we can’t be at the forefront of being competitive – that is my wish.”