Sobering reality for Stellies as Downs confirm credentials

AFTER a sobering encounter, Stellenbosch FC's head coach, Steve Barker, expressed his disappointment following a heavy 3-0 Betway Premiership defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns in Pretoria on Sunday.

- HERMAN GIBBS

The game, marked by a blistering start from Sundowns, saw the Winelands-based side concede three unanswered goals in the opening 18 minutes.

“Everything we didn’t want to do in the first 15 minutes, we did,” Barker reflected, acknowledging that his team failed to execute their game plan.

He lamented that his players did not heed crucial tactical instructions, a deviation he described as “disappointing”.

“We know Sundowns are an effective and efficient team, especially in the first 30 minutes.

“They do well in pressing you and forcing errors if you try to be too clever and smart at the back (in defence).

“Unfortunately, we (the team) did not take the instructions from the changing room onto the pitch. That was disappointing, and it’s not often that the team is like that.”