Ahead of Orlando Pirates' big clash against Mamelodi Sundowns, Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker has revealed how they stopped the Soweto giants despite a centre-back setback.
It appeared as if Stellies would lose the game, played at Athlone Stadium on Tuesday, after they were reduced to 10 men with 10 minutes remaining of the first half, following a red card to Brian Onyango.
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However, Barker's charges produced an excellent defensive display to frustrate the CAF Champions League quarterfinalists.
The visitors had only three shots on target even though they enjoyed 71 percent of ball possession.
With Pirates hosting Mamelodi Sundowns on Sunday, Barker revealed the tactics that thwarted the likes of Relebohile Mofokeng, Kabelo Dlamini, and Patrick Maswanganyi from causing danger.
"When you play Pirates, the biggest threat can be when they play with the wingers inside. (Deon) Hotto is more of an outside winger, running at you with the left foot," Barker explained, speaking to journalists in his post-match press conference.
"Whereas Mofokeng is more inside, especially when you have Hotto, so we knew that would be a threat to us.
"The plan was, first of all, stop their sixes from getting the ball so they don't advance it to players in the pockets, like (Kabelo) Dlamini and Mofokeng. That was part of the plan.
"I thought (Genino) Palace and (Sihle) Nduli... Genino, the incredible amount of balls he won, he was just superb on the night."
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Pirates fell 18 points behind runaway Betway Premiership leaders Sundowns, with four games in hand.
The Soweto giants are yet to beat Stellenbosch in the Western Cape in the league since Riveiro has been in charge.
The last time they beat the Winelands outfit in their backyard in the Premiership was back in November 2021, winning 3-0 on that occasion.