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Stellenbosch FC coach has highlighted the maturity of his squad following their narrow 1-0 win over AmaZulu in the Betway Premiership on Tuesday night.
The side from the Winelands returned to domestic action this week, having recently qualified for the semi-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup, beating title holders Zamalek to set up a clash with Simba SC.
A first-half goal from midfielder Sanele Barns was enough to secure all three points for Stellies, moving them up to third on the log table with seven games to go.
Barker was pleased his team passed a test of “character” with flying colours.
"For me winning a game like today after having qualified for the semi-final, coming back playing on a Tuesday on the difficult conditions is always a test of our character, a test of what we need to do if we really want to continue to wanting to be at the top end of the table and be competing on different fronts is to find different games,” Barker said.
“Today, obviously, the bumpy pitch and the wind didn't make it easy so it was all about just grinding out the result. I thought both teams in the first half sometimes they didn't play their positions the best, a lot of turnovers, they lost the ball in their final third where we sort of had opportunities and at times we also got a little bit stuck in our own half, which created chances.
“For half time the message was basically, we don't make mistakes in the second half, we don't give them anything, we just play percentage football and play to the conditions. I felt that we could see it out knowing that we would have opportunities on the transition because they were obviously desperate and would be coming out."
Another big test lies ahead now for Stellies when they travel to Tanzania this weekend for the first leg against Simba.
Barker looks forward to facing off with his counterpart, Fadlu Davids.
"Played against him as a coach when he was coaching at Maritzburg, and it's nice that there are South Africans that will be in the final. So, looking forward to that. I know Darien [Wilken], the assistant, very well, he's good friends with my assistant Wesley [Sergel] so it will be nice to see them,” Barker added.
“I think this season has shown over a long period of time that we've travelled a lot, we've learnt how to deal with certain situations. I think we're well prepared, I think we've gone this far in the tournament, we always promise ourselves if we get into the semi-final then we might as well go all the way or try at least."
