Barker paid tribute to some of the stars that have been there for quite some time in the club.
Stellies ended the season on a high after producing some astonishing results as they never lost in their previous five league games including humbling Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns,, and Cape Town City.
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Steve Barker confirmed that seven players were leaving Stellies ahead of this upcoming season. Granwald Scott, Robyn Johannes, Waseem Isaacs, Stanley Dimgba, Nathan Sinkala, Sibusiso Mthethwa, and Zitha Kwinika are the players that we won’t see wearing the Stellenbosch jersey.
“Scotty doesn’t score too many goals, so it was a fitting farewell for him,” head coach Steve Barker said after the match. “We wanted to give the guys who are leaving a bit of a swansong and a bit of a run-out.
“I’m a bit heartsore and sad because of the decisions we’ve made [to let them leave] but the players can walk with their heads held high because they’ve left the club in a better place.
“Robyn Johannes, Granwald Scott, Waseem Isaacs, Stanley Dimgba, Nathan Sinkala, Sibusiso Mthethwa, and Zitha Kwinika, who I think everyone is aware is going to Kaizer Chiefs, are the players that are leaving.
“I cannot speak highly enough of what they have done for this club. So as much as we are happy [with the result] we are sad at the same time. They all can continue playing and one or two of them have already got offers around.
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“They may come back later as coaches or part of the football club, but sometimes you have to make those decisions and hope you’ve made the right ones.”
While Stellies will be busy in the transfer market to get the replacements of the exiting players, they will also look to promote some of the stars from the DStv Diski Challenge team that was recently crowned champions.
“We will have to [sign recruitments], most certainly,” he added. “Let’s hope we can have a good transfer window and look to bring in the right players who will continue to take us forward. We probably have to start a bit of a new cycle. A couple of our young players will be rewarded with first-team call-ups, and we are active in the market to continue strengthening the squad.”