Why Steve Barker must regain control to rescue Stellenbosch FC's troubled campaign

Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker made hay while the sun still shone, and that’s why he has been able to buy himself some time at the helm.

Stellenbosch have arguably been the most improved team in the PSL over the last few years, but they have struggled this season, finishing the year languishing in 14th place in the Betway Premiership with just 12 points from 13 games.

Granted, Stellies’ shortcomings have been limited to domestic football. They qualified for the CAF Confederation Cup group stage and collected four points from their first two games, sitting top of Group C. But it remains paramount that they prioritise the league, as that’s where their bread is buttered.

Nonetheless, there’s no use crying over spilt milk. What’s done is done, and it’s clear they lost their bearings in the first half of the season. That’s why they need to dust themselves off and return to a consistent, winning path in the final stretch.

But before thinking that far ahead — with the league only resuming in the third week of January due to the AFCON break — it is important for Stellenbosch to reflect on and dissect what went wrong in the first half of the season.

Known for his ability to integrate youngsters and new players into the team — gradually developing them into fully fledged footballers who not only make their mark in the top flight but also help Stellies compete with heavyweights like Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates — Barker struggled in that regard this season.

Mthetheleli Mthiyane arrived with much fanfare from Motsepe Foundation Championship side Milford, and he showed flashes of being able to live up to the hype in the PSL spotlight. But while he did his best to shine — even earning a place in Bafana Bafana’s provisional AFCON squad — the team’s overall performances meant he could not fully blossom or unleash his true potential.

As a result, with no Stellenbosch player in the AFCON final squad — and Thabo Moloisane only on standby — Barker will be the first to admit they have been below par this season.

The Lesotho-born coach hasn’t made things easier for himself either. While he was happy to see his former players — including Mthiyane’s predecessor Sihle Nduli and former reserve-team player Tylon Smith — move on to greener pastures, he couldn’t help wondering how different Stellies’ fortunes might have been had they held onto them.

And that was not a helpful reflection on his own acumen or his current squad. It came across as if he was admitting a loss of faith in his abilities or suggesting that the players at his disposal were either not good enough or simply needed more time to gel into a well-oiled unit.

On top of that, senior players Bradley Mojela and Lesiba Nku were placed on the transfer list even before the first half of the season ended — and before the January window opened — highlighting further turmoil, as Barker appeared to be struggling to manage the squad off the pitch.

With Andre de Jong — one of the team’s key figures in recent seasons — expected to join Orlando Pirates early next year, Barker will be forced to dig deep to find an adequate replacement.

De Jong brought more than just his on-field ability — including traditional No. 9 hold-up play that allowed runners ahead of him to flourish — but he was also a calming, experienced presence who held the team together.

That’s why Barker must take firm control of the damage caused by the first half of the season, address every misstep, and ensure Stellies can thrive in the final lap and return to competing with the crème de la crème of the top flight.