Steve Barker credits substitutes after Stellenbosch shock Orlando Pirates

Stellies found themselves 2-0 down in the second half, but, with just over 20 minutes left on the clock, the magic started from the substitute’s bench as three quick goals were scored inside just eight minutes. 

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Iqraam Rayners, Devon Titus, and Andre De Jong all netted to ensure the newly-crowned Carling Knockout champions close the year on a winning note, with coach Steve Barker lost for words at what he witnessed.

"I explained to them [at half-time] that we can came back in the [Carling KO] final to get a draw and take it to penalties, so if we could just get one goal back, we'd be back in the game," explained Barker.

"And then when they went 2-0 up, to be honest with you, I thought it was going to be one of those evenings where it was just going to be tough, and it might end up three or four-nil.

"But I thought the substitutes were superb. I thought Antonio van Wyk came on and changed the game, [Nhlanhla] Mgaga came on and got on the ball, and was calm.

"Andre de Jong received the ball in pockets – we changed the formation a bit, and I can't describe those eight minutes of football, scoring three goals away to a very difficult team, from 2-0 down to go 3-2 up is just... I cannot... I'm speechless, to be honest."

The victory saw the Winelands side stretch their unbeaten run to 11 matches across all competitions, including the Carling Knockout, with nine of those ending victorious inside regulation time. 

They now close the year in third spot, with 26 points from 15 matches and are level with city rivals Cape Town City, as club football on the continent takes a recess for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, which runs from 13 January - 11 February.

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