Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker is optimistic about his side’s chances of progressing to the next stage of the CAF Confederations Cup.
Stellenbosch is set to face Egyptian powerhouse Zamalek in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final at Cape Town Stadium this evening, with kick-off scheduled for 15:00.
Stellenbosch secured their spot in the knockout stage after finishing second in Group B, trailing leaders RSB Berkane but ahead of Lunda Sul and Stade Malien.
Zamalek, the reigning Confederation Cup champions, claimed the title last season with a final victory over RS Berkane. They qualified for this edition of the competition after finishing third in the Egyptian Premier League. The team topped Group D, surpassing Al Masry, Enyimba, and Black Bulls.
With a rich history in continental football, including five CAF Champions League titles, Zamalek brings significant experience to the competition. In contrast, this marks Stellenbosch’s debut in African club football, making it one of the most significant matches in the club’s history.
Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker emphasized the importance of the fixture, acknowledging it as the biggest game the club has ever played.
“It’s nice to be back home and hosting one of the giants of African football,” Barker said.
“I believe it’s a momentous occasion for us as a football club—it’s not an April Fool’s joke, we’re here!—and we are looking forward to it. We know the challenges that lie ahead.
“At the same time, I believe we have earned the right to be here and deserve this opportunity. We’ve had to come through the qualifying through our league first, the preliminary stages, and then the group stage after a difficult start so we can be proud of what we have achieved.
“There’s no reason, though, that we can’t have the belief that we can make it to the next round. Every time you make the next round your objective changes and we are now in the mix to get to a semi-final.
“We’ve prepared well and there is a lot of bubbliness and energy in the squad, both on and off the field. There’s a lot of excitement, not only from the players and the coaching staff, but from the club as a whole to be hosting a club of Zamalek’s calibre.”
The Maroons have been enjoying steady progress since gaining promotion to the top flight. They lifted the Carling Knockout Cup trophy in 2023 and reached the final of the MTN8 last year.
“If we look back over the last couple of years, we’ve played and won the Carling Knockout final, and reached the MTN8 final, and that has shown that the club is progressing,” he added.
“…We’ve had some really big matches that we have had to play, but there are always levels, and I think playing on the continent is a different level.
“To be playing a team like Zamalek, who are the defending champions, who have won not just the Confed Cup but the Champions League five times, it becomes a massive game for us. I don’t think it would be wrong to say that this is one of the biggest games that the club has been involved in.
“We’re privileged to be in this position, but at the same time, I keep reminding the players that we have earned the right to be on the same park as a team like Zamalek.
“A lot of people may believe we don’t have a chance, but our team is built on resilience and the ability to overcome challenges, and we are looking forward to this challenge.”