Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker is keen to add a couple more new faces after losing key players. Deano Van Rooyen and Iqraam Rayners to the Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns respectively.

This untimely loss comes in a season where the Cape Winelands outfit is set to have a fixture, congestions following their maiden participation in CAF inter-club competitions in the Confederations cup, taking their tally to five competitions they’ll compete in this season.

With the 2024/25 Betway Premieship set to kickstart on the 14th of September, Stellies would have already played five matches, and the 56-year-old coach is optimistic about the prospect of increased match fitness, but is cautious that domestic opponents will be a step ahead when analysing his side.

“It’s got positives and negatives, and the positive is that we are match-fit by the time we play Betway. Premiership, we would have played five matches, which puts our readiness at a high level.” Barker said. “But the downside to it is that the opposition has the ability to see what we are doing. A couple of our new players we bought and how we are using them, whereas we may not have the same information.

“I believe going into it [Betway Prem] having played matches and being a bit more ready for matches is probably a bit more advantageous than not knowing what the opposition is going to do,” the Stellies mentor added.

Meanwhile, with the transfer window still a month away from closing, Barker says the club still has unfinished business in bolstering the squad, emphasising the importance of delving into the market. in a bid to replace Van Rooyen and Rayners.

“The window is not closed; losing players like we have—we have to strengthen, which we will.” Barker. “We have targets that we are working on, and hopefully we can get some of them over the line.”

“It would be unwise of us not to sign replacements; we’ve lost a really good right-back. We are thin in that position, so it’s important. Losing Iqraam [Rayners] is a priority for us.” Barker reiterated The reigning Carling knockout champions will host the Nsingizini Hotspurs at the Moses Mabhida stadium on Saturday (15h00) for the second leg of their CAF Confederations Cup first preliminary round tie after claiming a 3-0 victory in the first leg.