Stellenbosch FC mentor Steve Barker has explained that Sanele Barns’ exclusion against Sekhukhune United in the MTN8 semi-final first leg was a precautionary measure after the player felt a tight hamstring.
Barns has a been key player for Stellenbosch since arriving at the club last season from Richards Bay and the versatile player is one game away from making his 50th appearance in Stellies colours.
According to Barker, Barns is closer to be in the history books but after feeling some pain a day before facing Sekhukhune his 50th appearance was delayed.
Barker mentioned that it was not worth it to risk Barns in the MTN8 semi-final first leg with matches coming up thick and fast.
“No, he’s got a bit of a tight hamstring, which with all the games coming up midweek against [Orlando] Pirates and Sekhukhune next Saturday, it was just not worth the risk,” Barker explained to the media.
“So, he would have played. He was in the starting team, but at training in the last 10, 15 minutes, he felt a bit of pain, so we just took more precaution than anything else.”
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