Barker Aims High for Stellar Confed Cup Start

Stellenbosch Coach Steve Barker Targets Positive Start in CAF Confederation Cup

As Stellenbosch prepares for their second consecutive CAF Confederation Cup group-stage campaign, coach Steve Barker emphasized that starting positively is their main goal. The Western Cape team will kick off their continental journey on Sunday against Congolese side AS Otoho at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, scheduled for 15:00.

“It’s very exciting to get our CAF Confederation Cup campaign underway. Everybody is raring to go and we’re looking forward to hosting our opposition AS Otoho, and to getting off to a good start by winning this home match because I think that will also be key in this competition,” stated Barker.

AS Otoho, a six-time champion of the Congolese Ligue 1, marks their third appearance in the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup.

Stellenbosch aims to break a three-game winless streak, with their latest defeat to Siwelele FC just before the recent international break.

“There’s a lot of enthusiasm, and we’ve had a good preparation period during the FIFA break. We were able to work on improving a lot of things, which we can hopefully apply this coming Sunday,” added Barker.

Due to the unavailability of stadiums in Cape Town, Stellenbosch will face AS Otoho in Limpopo, a challenge they successfully managed last season by hosting games at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban and Loftus Stadium in Pretoria.

Barker is confident in his squad's ability to tackle this challenge, especially after overcoming similar obstacles last season. “New Peter Mokaba Stadium has, in my opinion, one of the best surfaces in the country, and we’ve played there a few times this season, so we know the stadium and must take that as a positive thing. We are still playing in our home country in South Africa, and it’s not only Stellenbosch that we play for; we also want to make South Africa proud. So, no matter where we play, we have to go and be positive and ensure we get the home wins,” the 57-year-old concluded.

Barker will be hoping that his side can set aside their domestic concerns and secure maximum points against their Congolese contenders.