Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker says his former players Ashley Du Preez and Zitha Kwinika may have give Kaizer Chiefs inside information on how he works or approaches games, but Chiefs will find a different Stellies team from last season when they clash at the DHL Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Asked by Diski Voice if the presence of his former stars in the Amakhosi camp will force him to change his approach when they face Amakhosi, Coach Barker was adamant that Chiefs will be facing a different Stellies team compared to Du Preez and Kwinika’s last season team.
“I think it is always nice when you have players from previous club. It will be unwise of the coach not to ask, how does the coach work, and what is their thinking,” Barker said.
“But as Rob Benadie [Stellies CEO] has just alluded to, we have also changed a lot of personnel from last season. We believe we have brought in players with good technical ability, and players with ability to press teams and apply pressure. We have also changed how we approach games and how we want to play. Ashley and Zitha can maybe tell them that, but they will find something different, and fortunately Zitha is suspended for Sunday [today], and it is a pity that we won’t see him, but we are not unhappy that he won’t be available.
“It does sometimes play a role. I have players that I have coached probably at all the different teams, so if I have to worry every time, we play Richards Bay that Zungu is going to say something or there…we do not really worry too much if players can give inside information about us, but you also have to evolve and revolve as a team as a team. There are analysts that analyze you to see what you can do so if you don’t be relevant and keep changing things up, people will start knowing what you do.”
Coach Barker also gave an injury update ahead of his side’s DStv Premiership game this afternoon.
“Athenkosi Mcaba is still injured, but he has started training looking good at training so hopefully he will be eligible within the next game or two.
“Lasse Sobiech, (our) German defender got a kick on his ankle in a friendly match against Cape Town Spurs and he is recovering from that.
“Our long-term injury to Juan Ortiz, he’s done his ACL so he will be back in training and available hopefully mid-to-late January or early February. Oshwin Andries is also not injured, but he is on U20 national team duty.”
Written by: Diski Voice
