Stellenbosch head coach Steve Barker wants more of the same from his players when they take on DStv Premiership newcomers Polokwane City at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday evening.
The Maroons grafted hard to earn a 1-0 victory over Orlando Pirates on the opening weekend of the new season, with Antonio Van Wyk's 42nd-minute goal settling the contest at the Danie Craven Stadium on Saturday night.
Barker handed debuts to new signings Thabo Moloisane, Ismael Toure and Genino Palace, while Kgaogelo Sekgota made his bow as a second-half substitute, and the quartet applied themselves with aplomb.
With Rise And Shine next on the agenda, Barker has challenged Stellies to maintain the high standards they set against the Buccaneers.
"One of the ethos of our club is our work ethic, team unity and positivity, accountability, responsibility and authority," he said.
"We showed that with the shift that the players put in, the tactical discipline, the tactical awareness that we applied, especially without the ball, which I thought was really good.
"The challenge is always making sure that the same type of work ethic and sort of attitude and discipline that we showed, we need to carry through to the next game."
Polokwane were unfortunate to get off to a losing start on their return to the top flight after being beaten 1-0 by Cape Town City at Athlone Stadium on Sunday evening.
The Motsepe Foundation Championship winners looked destined to pick up a point on their travels, but Jo Paciencia struck in the 92nd minute to snatch all three points for the Citizens.
Lehlohonolo Seema, who only took over the reins from Duncan Lechesa last week, saw some positives in the clash with the Mother City outfit, but admitted they cannot afford to waste too many chances at this level.
"It's going to be another test for us. We are learning as fast as we can. But we are proud with the performance the boys," Seema said. "We are not happy. We are not smiling. But we have a lot of positives that we can take from this game.
"Of course, at home, we have to play differently because it's not possible to defend the whole 90 minutes. If we get chances, we must convert them because in the Premier League, we will not get as many as we would think possible."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Polokwane City
Lindokuhle Mathebula: The 29-year-old goalkeeper was Rise And Shine's best player against Cape Town City and produced a string of fine saves to keep them in the game, although there was nothing he could do to prevent Paciencia from scoring at the death. Mathebula kept six clean sheets in 14 appearances last season as Polokwane won the National First Division title to gain promotion.
Stellenbosch
Ismael Toure: The 25-year-old centre-back from the Ivory Coast impressed on his debut for Stellies after making the switch from relegated Marumo Gallants in the off-season. Toure received praise from Barker as part of a new-look partnership alongside Thabo Moloisane in the heart of defence and he made a goal-saving block to deny Fortune Makaringe an equaliser in the 57th minute.
