Titus Determined For Confed Cup Return After Simba Exit
Stellenbosch attacker Devin Titus has revealed that having experienced African club competition, they are determined to return next season by finishing in the top three of the league.
That top-three finish is the only way for Stellies to qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup again, following their elimination by Simba in the semi-final of the second-tier continental competition at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday.
Stellenbosch, who played their continental matches away from their home ground, surprised many by reaching the semi-final against all odds in their maiden entrance. However, they could not overcome the aggregate deficit against Simba, who won the tie 1-0 in Durban.
They did come close to leveling the score when Titus’s cross found Andre de Jong, who perfectly teed up Genino Palace inside the box. However, the goal was disallowed for offside after a VAR review, with Titus deemed to be in an offside position.
That goal would have sent the game to penalties and potentially given them the momentum to score a second and reach the final.
Having come so close to reaching the final, Titus is resolute about returning to the Confed Cup next season. Stellies currently sit fourth in the Betway Premiership table with 38 points after 23 matches, three points behind third-placed Sekhukhune United, who have played one game more.
“Unfortunately, we didn’t get the win, but the boys worked hard from the qualification stages,” Titus told Sportswire in the mixed zone, where the players appeared dejected after failing to overturn the deficit against Simba.
“We did well, but unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be for us on Sunday.”
Stellies will need to quickly recover from their Confederation Cup disappointment as they host Chippa United in a Betway Premiership match at the Danie Craven Stadium on Wednesday [19:30].
A win in that game would see them leapfrog Sekhukhune United into third place.
“Hopefully, we can finish third, and we are going to give our all to achieve that third position,” vowed Titus, who is in contention for an individual award this season. “Hopefully, we can play in the CAF Confederation Cup once again.”
Should Stellies finish third, Kaizer Chiefs might also join them in the Confed Cup, provided they win the Nedbank Cup final against Orlando Pirates at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on 10 May.
Another realistic scenario is that if Chiefs lose to Pirates in the final, but Pirates finish second in the Betway Premiership table, Chiefs will qualify for the Confed Cup.
Looking at the current league table, Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns appear likely to finish first and second in the Betway Premiership standings, barring any significant surprises in the remaining matches.
