CAPE TOWN - Stellenbosch FC coach Sammy Troughton was frank in his assessment of his team’s underwhelming campaign in the promotion play-offs.
Having lost 2-0 to Baroka FC at the weekend, the Cape Winelands team’s dreams of playing in the PSL next season were dashed. They will have to start all over again next season.
“We gave it a good shot,” said Troughton. “But we weren’t up to scratch. We were just not good enough. We didn’t ask enough questions of Baroka (on Saturday), and we didn’t get behind them. I guess it wasn’t our day and they (Baroka) certainly deserve the win. They were cleverer and quicker to the ball.”
Going into the weekend’s game, Stellenbosch needed a win to keep their promotion hopes alive, but they palpably failed to show the necessary desire or urgency to achieve their goal.
As it stands now, Baroka have seven points (three games), Stellenbosch two points (three games) and Black Leopards one point (two games).
In essence, Leopards have to win both their remaining games to try to have a shot at pipping Baroka on goal difference. Leopards face Stellenbosch at Athlone Stadium on Wednesday (kick-off 3pm) and then host Baroka in Thohoyandou on Saturday.