Head coach Steve Barker is confident Stellenbosch will maintain a dominant record against TS Galaxy during Saturday’s Carling Knockout Cup final.
Stellenbosch have collected seven wins in their last 10 matches, across all competitions, against TS Galaxy. They have shared three draws.
“I think it’s important that I, myself, understand it and convey the message to the rest of the staff and the players that finals are different occasions,” said Barker.
“Form goes out the window, you can’t look at previous form against Galaxy. A final becomes a different situation, a different type of atmosphere, a different type of match.
“The more a team doesn’t beat you, the more and higher their desire is to get that first win over you. So, I’m sure Galaxy would like to break that hoodoo of not beating us. They will obviously come with the desire to do that.”
Stellenbosch beat Richards Bay in the Carling Knockout semi-finals, while TS Galaxy overcame AmaZulu.
“We can’t become complacent. We’ve worked too hard. We’ve had too many disappointments and losing out on getting to a final and learnt not to go into the game and be complacent and think it will be easier,” added Barker.
“Cup games are generally very tough matches, and it’s just about handling the situation, handling the occasion, not underestimating Galaxy, and concentrating on our performance. I do believe that if we do play to our potential, it increases the chance of us winning the match.”
Mamelodi Sundowns are the current Carling Knockout Cup champions. Kaizer Chiefs are the most successful team in the history of the tournament with 13 titles.
