We took the game seriously - Steve Barker

The side from the Winelands went into the clash considered favourites as the newly crowned champions of the knockout competition under the same title sponsor as well as having advantage over a side only assembled two days before.

Barker believes their efforts just weren’t rewarded on the day.

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"Winning the knockout was not easy, obviously, went to the penalties could have gone anyway in the game today [Saturday] in the final. It showed that it doesn't matter who you play against, winning finals is not easy but in saying all that if I sum up the game, it's probably one of the games that, if I just list everything that didn't go for us today [Saturday], it just makes us just feel obviously disappointed. I can't really fault that we didn't try win the game or didn't put any effort in it or didn't take it seriously," Barker said.

Just a little over a week ago Stellies came back from 2-0 down to beat Orlando Pirates 3-2 in the DStv Premiership played at Orlando Stadium.

But it was a different story at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.

"It had that feeling that it just wasn't our day today [Saturday]. Then you get a red card which obviously complicates matters and then you go into extra time and there's only four minutes shown when you've had ten substitutes, you've had off the field for two minutes with an injury. You've had a red card incident with an injury. You've had time wasting, you've had injuries. So ya, when we got the one back obviously there's just wasn't enough time to get ourselves back in. Overall, we tried our best, we just weren't ruthless, clinical enough," Barker added.

Stellies’ unbeaten run of 11 games in all competitions came to an end on Saturday afternoon, albeit at an exhibition match.

Barker views their recent form, culminating in the club winning their first ever trophy, as a milestone to cherish.

"We've done our best, we've had a really good run, over the last couple of months. An unbeaten run that's come to an end but we need to take it on the chin. We need to take a good rest. We've been traveling a lot, all five games in the cup have been away, league games have been away, last week against Pirates away. So, I think it's been a little been raining and mentally tough for the players. Maybe we were just not at our best today [Saturday] but congratulations to the All-Stars team. Well done to Carling for putting on a fantastic competition."