Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker had some special praise for second-half substitutes who inspired the comeback win over Orlando Pirates.
Stellies staged an incredible comeback, after rallying from 2-0 down with 21 minutes to go to beat Pirates at Orlando Stadium courtesy of goals from Iqraam Rayners, Devon Titus and Andre de Jong, within a period of eight minutes.
Barker revealed the halftime talk he had with his players, although he admitted that at 2-0 down, he thought the game was beyond them.
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"At half-time we obviously had a serious chat, I just felt first-half we weren't at the races, we just gave them too much respect, we weren't brave enough to get the ball and play," Barker told SuperSport TV.
"And I just said to them, listen here, 'We've got nothing to lose in the second-half, just show more braveness, more courage, get on the ball, play the way we can, we're champions of the cup recently for nothing, we're not on an unbeaten run of ten games for nothing. Go and show who you are and what you're made of'.
"And when we went 2-0 down, you know I thought obviously the game may be beyond us but I thought a big change was our substitutes. I thought Antonio Van Wyk came on and changed the game, causing problems, we got a little braver with the ball.
"Jayden Adams drafted into midfield, helped us with the build-up, (Nhlanhla) Mgaga added, Andre de Jong added to our play and it must be, I don't know, three goals in how minutes, it's probably one of the most incredible moments in that short period.
"To come away from home after all the travelling we've been through, 2-0 down at Orlando Stadium, with a big crowd behind Orlando Pirates, to come and win 3-2 it's just amazing," he went on.
"I cannot have enough words to say for this group of players, their commitment, their character, their never-say-die-attitude, the way they keep fighting for each other, the way they keep working hard on the field.
"That's the reward you get when you put in the hard yards, so credit to them. It's been a fantastic 2023 for us, we finished the year on a high and we look forward to the Carling challenge next week.
"It's an incredible eight minutes of football from Stellenbosch Football Club, it's just something really special to come here, get three points, and do the double over Pirates this season. It's massive to be in the top three, four on the log with a game in hand. We can really be proud of what we've done," he added.
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