Stellenbosch's young guns hungry to turn the tables on Kaizer Chiefs, says Barker
Image: BackpagePix
Stellenbosch FC's MTN8 quarter-final hero Langelihle Phili may have to wait a little longer before he cracks a place in the starting line-up, according to coach Steve Barker.
Phili is one of the most promising young attackers in the country, having played a considerable role in helping the SA U20 team to the Afcon title earlier this year.
The 20-year-old showed his prowess in front of goal again last Sunday by coming off the bench to net the match-winning goal in extra-time to see off AmaZulu at the DHL Stadium.
The youngster would no doubt have wanted to continue the momentum in the much-anticipated Betway Premiership opener against Kaizer Chiefs on Sunday (kick-off 5.30pm).
'Everybody is knocking on the door,' Barker said, at the Premiership launch in Sandton on Tuesday.
'That's the nice part, especially young players. They are hungry to play, hungry to start. But he plays in the same position as Sanele Barns, who scored two goals on Sunday, so it doesn't make it easy.'
Barker was, though, looking forward to Phili building on his positive start to the new season.
'It's nice when a player comes on and wins the game for you. Langelihle is a very exciting player. I am looking forward to him having a breakthrough season.
'I think scoring in the first game of the season will give him the real confidence and belief that he can reach the potential that he has.'
Barker's attention is fully focused on turning the tables on Chiefs in the season opener after the Amakhosi held the upper hand over their Western Cape rivals last season. Nasreddine Nabi's Phefeni Glamour Boys achieved a hat-trick of victories over Stellies in all competitions and it still rankles with the veteran coach.
📸 𝐈𝐧 𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬: The 2025/2026 #BetwayPrem launch event at The Galleria pic.twitter.com/ethj2ubkLk — Official PSL (@OfficialPSL) August 5, 2025
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