Steve Barker optimistic about Stellenbosch FC's turnaround in CAF Confederation Cup

POLOKWANE - STEVE BARKER believes Stellenbosch FC will turn their fortunes around in this afternoon’s CAF Confederation Cup Group C tie against Otoho d’Oyo at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.

Stellies are enduring such a wretched start to the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season that they are positioned second from bottom on the table having won just twice in 12 matches. It is a situation that would have seen many coaches sitting uneasy, the security of their jobs uncertain.

Barker is, however, lucky that he works for a club whose leadership is not trigger-happy. And having had a good two weeks of no action he arrived in the Limpopo capital somewhat cock-a-hoop, content he has done enough work with his team to resolve those shortcomings that sees them helping Chippa United prop up the 16-team table.

“I do believe we will turn the corner,” he told the media deep in the bowels of the 2010 FIFA World Cup arena that was the only venue available for the Cape Winelands team this weekend

“Before the FIFA break, we had played six matches in 18 days. We went to Equatorial Guinea and back, that’s not easy so the break was a blessing because we were able to get the full squad and work on the areas we need to get better in.

"We had two good weeks and hopefully tomorrow we can put the fruits of our hard labour on display and return to being the Stellies that are always difficult to play against.”

Semi-finalsts on debut in the competition last season, Stellies are likely to have some sort of target on their back. Barker acknowledges that much and believes their experience will stand them in good stead.

“We are excited (about being in the group stages again). Obviously we are coming off a good campaign last season and we always aim to make our mark and leave a footprint on the continent. We know how difficult it is to progress out of the group stages and we are aware of the importance of winning the home matches.”

Logic would suggest they will start as favourites against the outfit from Congo Brazzaville. But Barker is not taking anything for granted. He knows only too well how tight the competition can be at this level.

“They are a good team and a number of their players are in the national team. We are expecting a really tough match but we’ve made good preparations during the FIFA break. We are confident of having a good start in the group stages.”

Though they have just a single season’s experience of continental football, Barker says they know what to expect.

“We played against an Angolan team last season with all their theatrics; we know that the North African teams use certain tactics to slow the game down or take the sting out of it. Of course, it is not easy to analyze our opponents for tomorrow, but we’ve seen some of their qualifying games and they would not be in the group stage if they were not a good team.”

The match kicks off at 3pm and Barker has called on the people of Polokwane and Limpopo to come to the venue in their numbers because “we are not only representing Stellies but the entire South Africa”.