Barker Eyes A Strong Start In The Confed Cup Group Stage Campaign.
Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker says starting on a positive note is their main objective as they embark on their second consecutive CAF Confederation Cup group-stage campaign.
The side from the Western Cape is set to begin their continental journey on Sunday afternoon when they welcome the Congolese side, AS Otoho, at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane [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,” said Barker.
Stellies’ opponents are six-time Congolese Ligue 1 champions, AS Otoho, who are making their third appearance in the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup.
Stellenbosch will look to get back to winning ways after a three-game winless run, with the most recent of those defeats coming at the hands of Siwelele FC before the recently concluded 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.
Barker’s side will face the Congolese side in Limpopo due to the unavailability of stadia in Cape Town, which is a challenge they faced and overcame last season, as they hosted their home games at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban and also at Loftus Stadium in Pretoria.
The Stellenbosch mentor believes his side is well-equipped to deal with the challenge after facing similar trials 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 have to 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 make sure we get the home wins,” said the 57-year-old.
Barker will be hoping his side can put aside their domestic troubles and grab maximum points from their Congolese counterparts.
