Tactics fell out the window - Steve Barker on Stellenbosch's maiden trophy

His side came from behind to level matters 1-1 in the second half, when defender Ismael Touré cancelled out Galaxy striker Lehlohonolo Mojela’s opener. 

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Barker conceded it was then all about the milestone as they finally clinched a trophy via the lottery of penalty shoot-outs, after neither side capitalised during 30 minutes of extra-time.

"It turned out to be a hard-fought, gritty cup final between two teams that were desperate to get silverware, so I don't think the football itself and the tactics – I think eventually sort of fell a bit out the window," said Barker.

"It was then just about digging deep, the desire and the hunger to persevere, be resilient and just to continue doing what you have to do on the field of play."

The coach also felt he was in no position to fault his players in any way. 

"It was unbelievable the way they just continued to put in such committed performances, and I could see and feel that they were a little bit heavy today, it's been quite a lot of away games over the last months," he added.

"There was a lot of travelling and it's our third time in Durban in a space of just over four or five weeks, in these humid conditions.

"So the pitch was a bit thick and it wasn't really conducive for a spectacle in terms of ball playing, it was just about wanting to win the trophy badly."

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