Steve Barker: It did seem like Gallants were targeting Titus with roughhouse tactics

Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker believes his team’s experiences in the CAF Confederation Cup helped them contend with Marumo Gallants’ "roughhousing" tactics in their Betway Premiership clash at the Danie Craven Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Gallants adopted a fairly physical approach from the outset by targeting Stellenbosch star winger Devon Titus during the 1-0 victory for the home team. 

The 24-year-old was hacked down almost on a consistent basis by both Khumbulani Ncube and Siyabonga Nhlapo with Titus becoming visibly agitated during the match with the referee Eugene Mdluli's lack of decisive decision making. 

Nhlapo was eventually yellow-carded in the 50th minute for his umpteenth foul on Titus. 

Barker, however, claims that the fierce tackles Titus faced was a regular occurrence during Stellies’ maiden voyage into Africa last season - although he was relieved that Titus managed to finish the game unscathed after substituting him in the 75th minute for Khomotjo Lekoloane. 

“It is not only now, it's happened in the past too. Good and influential players get targeted - a tactic that you can negate the opposition by not giving that player the time and space and maybe rough housing him,” Barker said.

“The challenges we got today happen quite often on the continent. We’ve got used to it. Hopefully it's not a trend that will continue and it's a once-off match against Gallants.” 

The wily coach did feel that referee Mdluli could have stamped his authority on the game earlier to avoid the situation escalating as the game carried on. 

“I said to the fourth official and the linesman that they were seemingly targeting Devon. Unfortunately, maybe the ref could have been stronger earlier on. If you are not carded for those types of tackles, it will obviously continue,” Barker said.

“It seemed like it was different players on different occasions. It did seem like he was targeted. That’s the way they wanted to play. Fortunately, Devin came through it without any injuries.”

Stellenbosch have a few days to recover before facing champions Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday afternoon at the Athlone Stadium.