Stellenbosch FC have saved their key player for the Orlando Pirates clash on Wednesday evening.
The Cape Winelands side will look to add more misery on the Buccaneers as they look to earn their first league win of the season.
Attacking midfielder Sanele Barns did not start against Sekhukhune United this past weekend and Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker revealed the star player was saved for Pirates
“He’s got a bit of a tight hamstring which…with all the games coming up midweek against Pirates and Sekhukhune [Saturday], it was not worth the risk,” said Barker.
“So, he would have played and was actually in the starting team. But at training, in the last ten, 15 minutes, he felt a little bit of pain. So, it was precaution more than anything else.”
Stellenbosch play Pirates at Orlando Stadium before facing Sekhukhune United on 23 August in the MTN8 semi-final second leg, at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium. The team has already settled in Gauteng and will not travel to the Cape until Sunday.
“It won’t make sense to come back,” Barker added.
Pirates and Stellenbosch to lock horns
“So, we will go on Wednesday, then Thursday we go to Polokwane and play the game on Saturday and come back on Sunday.
“We will take the whole squad, it’s not just 20 players. So, it will be a little bit of a three, to four-day chance to get together.”
Can Stellies upset Pirates?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211.
Subscribe to The South African website’s newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.