Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker says the club’s long-term bid to retain their key players is finally paying off.
After reaching two semi-finals in recent months, the Winelands club will compete for silverware this season when they battle with TS Galaxy in the Carling Knockout Cup final.
Stellies lost to Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 semis recently, following their Nedbank Cup semi-final defeat to Sekhukhune United last season.
This term it was Richards Bay who stood in their way, but Barker’s charges eased to the final with a 3-0 win.
Reflecting on their good form, that also sees the club sit fourth in the DStv Premiership, the Stellies head coach explained that their plans are coming to fruition.
Barker said on iDiski Times: “I think our club, maybe 18 months ago, we sat and we said there’s a core group of players that we have to keep together if the club wants to be successful if the club wants to win trophies and want to compete at the top end of the table.
“You know those are players like Jayden Adams and Devin Titus. So, hopefully, they are committed to the club and want to be here for long-term as they showed by signing long-term contracts.
“And you know if we show we can win trophies if we show we can compete at the top end of the table, then there’s no reason for the players wanting to leave.
“Why would you want to go a bigger club that’s maybe not challenging and winning things?”