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“Getting into the MTN8 final is not easy” – Barker

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Steve Barker, head coach of Stellenbosch FC during the 2025 MTN8 Final media day for Stellenbosch FC at Lentelus Sports Compex in Stellenbosch on 9 September 2025 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker says his side are excited and highly motivated ahead of the MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates on Saturday.

The Maroons are set to face the Buccaneers in the final when the two sides meet at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.

Stellies made their way into the final after clinching a 3-1 aggregate victory over Sekhukhune United in the two-legged semi-final.

Pirates, meanwhile, secured their place in the final after they claimed a 4-1 win in a penalty shootout against Mamelodi Sundowns after the aggregate score remained 1-1.

“We’re very excited and highly motivated as a club, the technical staff, support staff, and the players,” Barker told his club’s official website.

“It’s not every season that you get into a final, so when you do, you have to take the opportunity.

“Getting into the MTN8 final is not easy. It starts the season before by getting yourself into the top eight in the league, which we did, and then we got past AmaZulu [in the quarter-finals] and a very good Sekhukhune United team to get ourselves into the final.