Why Stellenbosch dismissed Kgaogelo Sekgota and Darrel Matsheke

In two separate statements – one earlier this year on Sekgota and the other just last week confirming Matsheke would be leaving – the side from the Winelands said the duo had violated their code of conduct.

Barker says the club values had to take precedence.

"Ya, look I think it's important that we're a club that's, one of our mottos and slogan is more than football. So, we're there to support and help players and encourage them to be professional about what they do," Barker said.

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Both Sekgota and Matsheke joined Stellies this season, with Matsheke arriving only five months ago and scoring the winning penalty in their Carling Knockout Cup triumph in December.

The coach adds that an arm around the shoulder for the two former Kaizer Chiefs players wasn’t enough.

"And in both instances, we were there to support and help the players and give them a level of counselling and support throughout but unfortunately sometimes you just reach a stage where you cannot continue with an inexcusable behaviour and the club has to make a stand," Barker explained.

Barker answered the question around the two players on the back of an emphatic 6-1 victory over Milford FC to progress to the Nedbank Cup quarterfinals.

And he believes there’s room for Stellenbosch to keep getting better in this campaign.

"If you look at the season thus far obviously losing on away goal in a semifinal in the MTN8, going on to win the Carling and now being in the last eight of the Nedbank and also in a good strong position on the log table. I think it's now 17 games unbeaten of 13 wins and four draws which is really, really an incredible run."