Steve Barker explains Stellenbosch’s goalkeeping situation

Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker has explained the decision to play all three goalkeepers in just their five opening matches of the season.

On Saturday night, newly signed Oscarine Masuluke made his debut for the club during the 2-1 loss to SuperSport United.

Sage Stephens has played three of the matches, while veteran keeper Lee Langeveldt has featured just once. Stephens was their regular keeper last season, missing only three league matches.

But Barker has since explained the decision to offer his three keepers an opportunity at this early stage of the season.

WHY STEVE BARKER HAS BEEN ROTATING THEIR GOALKEEPERS

“Today was also an opportunity [for Oscarine Masuluke] with the type of team SuperSport are with their aerial threats with the ball into the box. We felt we should have Oscarine a ride,” explained Barker.

“So it was good for me to know all three keepers that played, and it puts me in a better position to make an Informed decision on the way forward.

“Obviously, Stephens is carrying an injury. But he started the season well for us; had he not been injured, he would have kept playing,” he said.

“We just felt Lee has been with us for a while, and against Royal AM, he has a competent game.”

BIG WEEK FOR STELLENBOSCH FC AHEAD

“A very big week, I was just telling the players that it’s a privilege to have a week like this. It’s something that we want, we want to be in the semifinals of Cups. We want to be playing a week like this. All the big teams worldwide play three big matches in a week, and we have to deal with it.”

Stellenbosch will take on Chiefs at Athlone Stadium on Wednesday and Pirates in the semi-final on Sunday, 03 September.

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