ON A MISSION: Steve Barker aims to put the brakes on Mamelodi Sundowns’ 24-match DStv Premiership unbeaten run

Rulani Mokwena’s Sundowns are hoping to become the first Premier Soccer League outfit to go an entire season without defeat.

Downs play Golden Arrows and Royal AM in back-to-back encounters before visiting Stellies. If these teams cannot put an end to Sundowns’ winning streak, Barker says his side will have to take matters into their own hands.

Sundowns recently booted Stellenbosch out of the Nedbank Cup, which would be enough motivation for revenge when the two sides meet in the league on May 18.

“We have got to try and break that run. It will be a tough place for them to come back to [our home ground], but one can see that they know how to manage situations and manage games,” Barker told members of the media.

“With the individual quality that they have, it would be difficult to not see them remaining unbeaten.

READ: Mamelodi Sundowns mentor Rulani Mokwena issues caution to DStv Premiership rivals – ‘We need to get to Nedbank Cup final in good form’

“They are capable [of being invincible]. But we need points and we have to learn from the lessons of the Nedbank Cup so that when we play them again, we will deal with certain situations better and maybe we should start the game on the front foot. But they have the possibility of going unbeaten.”

However, the bigger picture for Stellies is a place in next season’s Caf Champions League where a league runners-up position will pave the way to African football.

“Finishing second on the log and playing in the Champions League is our aim,” Barker added.

“As you can see, a lot of teams are hitting form at the right time.

“Pirates are playing really well and I believe that even though we lost against Sundowns, we are playing really well. It will go down all the way to the wire and we would like to test ourselves and play in the Champions League.

“I saw that there is a gap between Pirates and ourselves and it is good to see that because now we have a target to close that gap as quickly as possible.”

Stellenbosch are going toe-to-toe against the Buccaneers for the remaining  Champions League spot. Barker’s side currently hold the advantage as they sit on 49 points, three more than Jose Riveiro’s outfit with four matches remaining.