Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker is determined to take lessons from his team’s 5-0 defeat against RS Berkane in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Although the result was hard to accept, Barker emphasised the importance of using the experience as a learning curve for his team, especially since this is their debut campaign in the continental tournament.
“It is not easy to accept a 5-0 loss, but I told the team and the players that these types of games are a learning curve,” Barker shared during the post-match press conference.
“As you all know, it is our first time playing in the Confederation Cup, in North Africa, and against a quality team like Berkane. One has to learn, grow, and improve from this.”
The coach acknowledged Berkane’s superior quality and clinical finishing, highlighting how Stellenbosch’s mistakes in dangerous areas were punished.
“We can see the quality of Berkane. We gave the ball away in our defensive third, and they were very clinical. That is why they are on top of the domestic league and the group. It is a good team,” he added.
Despite the heavy loss, Barker remains optimistic about his team’s growth and improvement. He hopes future encounters with top sides like Berkane will yield tighter contests.
“Hopefully, we can continue to improve, and if we play here again, it won’t be 5-0; it will be tighter.”
Stellenbosch finished second in Group B with nine points, securing a spot in the quarter-finals. Berkane topped the group with 14 points, while Angola’s Luanda Sul (5 points) and Mali’s Stade Malien (4 points) finished third and fourth, respectively.
Stellenbosch’s progress to the quarter-finals marks a historic achievement for the club in their maiden continental campaign. Barker and his team will look to build on their experiences as they prepare for the next stage of the competition.