Stellenbosch FC stick with coach Steve Barker and beef up their 2025/26 squad with Amajita star

Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker is proud of his team’s achievements in the 2024/25 season, but is not resting on his laurels after his team ensured qualification for the CAF Confederation Cup again. 

Stellies claimed third place in the Betway Premiership for the second successive season after their goalless draw in the Western Cape derby against Cape Town City to conclude yet another highly successful campaign for the Winelands club.

But Barker is already looking ahead to the 2025/26 season in order for his team to stay ahead of the chasing pack with the confirmation of new signings of Under-20 Afcon winner Siviwe Nkwali and MFC top goalscorer Muzomuhle Khanyi.

“I think at the end of the day third was our objective, and we finished in third position,” Barker said. “I think it's a massive achievement after having played as many games and what we achieved on the continent to also then show the consistency in the league and finish third is really credit must go to the players.

“They've just been incredible this whole season. It's one of the group of players that I've been the most proudest of coaching, just their resilience, their grit, their determination …

“But, yes, we are a team that is proactive. We are in the market to beef up where we feel we need to, so yeah we are definitely being really active and behind the scenes.

“Sometimes these things just take a little bit of time and one or two things happen before you can make one or two of your final decisions.

“But as you may have seen in the news recently, we have signed already, well it was done in January … Nkwali from Cape Town Spurs and Muzi from Hungry Lions,” he said.

Stellies’ success has often come at a price though the last few seasons with major players such as Ashley du Preez, Jayden Adams, Junior Mendietta, Zitha Kwinika and Iqraam Rayners moving on to the one of the big three clubs in Johannesburg. 

Barker is resigned to losing influential midfielder Sihle Nduli with the veteran coach handing the captain’s armband to the former TS Galaxy midfielder last Saturday against City as a farewell present. 

Nduli is being heavily linked to Orlando Pirates to replace Miguel Timm at the Buccaneers. 

“Yeah, there's obviously a couple of players that we won't be renewing contracts and obviously the one that is leaving is Sihle Nduli.

“He's a leader, a silent leader, doesn't talk much but he plays and leads by his actions on the field, so I just thought it would be a nice touch to send him off as captain of the team.

“Personally I want to thank him for the person and the player and the commitment that he's shown to this football club  and be happy for him that he's moving on.

“So that is one that we are aware of but otherwise the rest are just trying to look at positions where we need to strengthen.”

Barker is also looking forward to Stellies having a more solid home base next season after being the gypsies of the PSL this past season, being forced to move away from their Western Cape base and play “home” matches in Durban and Pretoria.

“I think it's quite obvious what we're trying to get Athlone (Stadium) upgraded and approved in certain areas to host CAF Games, so I think we have a bit of time now to be able to do that,” he said.

“I think we know now what needs to be done, so together hopefully the municipality and ourselves can upgrade one or two areas that need upgrading and that at least we can play our home games in Cape Town.”