NO BAFANA BABALAS

STELLENBOSCH FC coach Steve Barker has dismissed suggestions that Orlando Pirates’ busy national team involvement ahead of the MTN8 final will give his span an advantage.

The Buccaneers are set to go into Saturday's 6pm clash at Mbombela Stadium with min preparation time, as eight of their players were away on international duty. 

Sipho Chaine, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Oswin Appollis, Sipho Mbule, Thalente Mbatha, Kamogelo Sebelebele, and Relebohile Mofokeng were all with Bafana Bafana, while Deon Hotto was representing Namibia.

In contrast, Stellies only have Thabo Moloisane with South Africa, meaning Barker has had almost his hele squad available for two weeks of uninterrupted training.

The coach admitted that this could hand his team a slight edge, but he was quick to underline that Pirates’ quality remains the biggest factor heading into the final.

Barker wysed: “No, look, obviously it shows testimony to what a good team they’ve built to have seven players in the national team, and maybe one or two players who are injured, that could have been in the national team, Evidence [Makgopa] who has been in the national team for a while now, who is not there now.

“So, if you look at the whole squad, basically they’ve got a team of national team players, which shows the quality.”

With Stellenbosch making their second Cup final appearance in two seasons, Barker is relishing the fact that his manne has had time to rest and refine their approach.

He added: “I think it doesn’t really give us a massive advantage, but it is nice to be able to work a full week without any midweek games with our squad besides, obviously also having an opportunity last week to prepare the team.”

Meanwhile, Stellenbosch have made a jitz addition to their squad ahead of the final, with the signing of Azerbaijani 27-year-old left-back Turan Manafov, on a free transfer.