Steve Barker and Stellies have to shake off Kaizer Chiefs déjà vu ahead of Magesi FC trip

Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker could not help but feel a sense of “déjà vu” after a fifth consecutive Betway Premiership defeat to Kaizer Chiefs.

It was, however, not without incident yet again after Stellenbosch FC debutant Siviwe Nkwali was shown a straight red card by referee Eugene Mdluli within the first 15 minutes. 

Muduli also awarded Chiefs a penalty in the 90th minute after former Stellies winger Ashley du Preez was brought down in the box.

The Amakhosi were in ruthless mood at the Athlone Stadium as the visitors converted both set-pieces to claim a comfortable 2-0 victory to get their season off to a winning start.

“Obviously, the red card so early in the game will always make it difficult for us,” Barker said.

“That's one thing we try and tell the players. Red cards and penalties are just not worth it over a season. 

“It always feels like a double blow when you get a red card and a goal against you at the same time.

“So, you know, sometimes it's not worth the red card because you'd rather be 1-0 down and have still 10 men. Your chance of getting a point is probably higher than they not scoring. And you're 10 men down and it's 0-0.

“Then probably the advantage, they still get the result at the end of the day. So it was just a big blow for us. And it's not the first time against Chiefs that there's been a red card or an incident that led to them winning the game.

“So, yes, it just seems a bit like déjà vu. Red card, penalty at the end of the game, and that type of stuff.”

Barker was not overly downbeat though, as Stellies had pushed hard for an equaliser in the first half by striking both the cross bar and far post. With a little more luck on their side, they could have gone into the break level at 1-1.

But the strain of playing with 10-men for an extended period of time showed in the second half as Chiefs pushed for the eventual nail in the coffin. 

He also felt young left-back Omega Mdaka, who had come into the starting line-up after the departure of former club captain Fawaaz Basadien during the off-season, had an excellent match despite conceding the last-minute penalty.

“Obviously I feel sorry for Omega. I thought he had a really good, strong performance,” Barker said.

“At the end of the game, 94th minute or whatever it was, Ashley du Preez is a tricky, quick, fast customer and it was just a bit of an error of judgement from Omega, but it's not going to take away from his performance. 

“I already told him in the changing room. For me, he was one of our men of the match. I thought he had a really strong performance.

“I'm not a coach that's going to hold individual errors to players. We all make mistakes.”

Stellenbosch will not have much time to rectify their errors on the training pitch as they travel up north to Limpopo to face Magesi FC on Wednesday.