While Stellenbosch FC boss Steve Barker acknowledges he and his side are expected to “fix the country” when they wrestle Orlando Pirates for the MTN8 title, he says fighting for the Winelands community and their fans remains a top priority.
Stellies are set to battle favourites Pirates in a clash worth R10 million at a sold-out Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday at 18:00.
While the Buccaneers will enjoy massive support from the scores of their fans, Barker’s side will be backed by millions of ‘on-loan’ supporters from Pirates’ rivals.
Most of the Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns supporters have already started to rally behind Stellies to beat the Sea Robbers and silence the noise from one of the big three neighbours.
READ: Here’s why Stellenbosch are likely to wrestle the MTN8 title from Orlando Pirates
Barker, who has done a sterling job with the Maroons, said they welcome the support from Pirates’ rivals and said it doesn’t add unnecessary pressure on his men.
“South African football is unique in terms of its support base, and the rivalry between the so-called big clubs,” Barker said.
“I’m sure we will have some supporters that will want us to, what’s the saying, fix the country.
“But I think more importantly, our own fans, the hardworking people in the Winelands who also need the joy and the happiness of the local team based in Stellenbosch,” he said.
“The community is important to us. The great Winelands is important to us, and I believe the greater Western Cape will be behind us to bring the trophy back to the Western Cape.
“Yes, we welcome any other support. We all know that the stadium majority will be Orlando Pirates supporters. The noise is going to be with them, so we are going to have to find ways to overcome it.”
Barker understands beating the Soweto giants will not be an easy thing to achieve as their rivals have been doing well under the leadership of coach Jose Riveiro.
However, Stellies will draw confidence from the fact that they gave Riveiro and his troops a tough time last season.
Out of four meetings in all competitions, Stellies defeated Pirates three times while the Crossbones and Skull managed just a single victory.
“They are a team that is really in good form,” Barker said.
“The work that coach Jose is doing, Mandla (Ncikazi) and the rest of the technical is really good to see. It’s good for South African football to have a team like Pirates performing the way they do.
“They are in good form and it’s a difficult encounter for us on Saturday but the one that we are relishing.”
ALSO READ: Here’s why Orlando Pirates will win the title for third time on the trot
Another big boost for the underdogs is that they are very familiar with Moses Mabhida Stadium as they used it as their home venue early into the season.
This was because of the unavailability of Danie Craven Stadium.
“We are the away team at our own home ground. We have played more here than we did in our own stadium,” Barker said.
“So, we have the feel of comfortability at Moses Mabhida Stadium and hopefully that can continue.
“I think with regards to the game, there’s sort of massive excitement amongst the team, the club and the fans.
“The MTN8 is a special trophy. It’s nice and early into the season.
“It’s a trophy that when we got promoted from the National First Division, I always said to Lee Langeveldt that the MTN8 is the one.
“Because knowing that if you compete in the MTN8 it means you are doing well in the league. Our good form in the league allows us to compete in the MTN8.
“I won it as a player back in 1995, so hopefully I can emulate that as a coach.”
🚍✈️ Jozi to eThekwini ahead of the #MTN8Final 🏆
— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) October 4, 2024
🆚 @StellenboschFC
🗓️ 05 October 2024
⏲️ 18H00
🎟️ SOLD OUT 🚫
📺 @SuperSportTV #OrlandoPirates #OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/HU4fldaqxb
