CAFCL: Barker reveals Simba SC’s motivation to upset Stade Malien

Simba SC head coach Steve Barker has revealed their desire to end the CAF Champions League group stage campaign with victory spurred them on against Stade Malien in their final game at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Saturday.

The Msimbazi Reds won a game in Group D after defeating Stade Malien from Mali 1-0. Anicet Oura scored the all-important goal with only two minutes played to ensure Simba finished with five points.

 

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The win enabled Simba to earn revenge against Stade Malien. The two sides met in matchday two on November 30, with Stade Malien emerging 2-1 winners.

Simba proud of their first group stage win

“Our motivation was very clear, we didn’t want to conclude the group without a win, Simba is a big club on the continent and it could have been a shame to end a whole group stage campaign without a win,” Barker told Pan-Africa Football.

“The objective of the club in the beginning of the CAF campaign was to get to the knockout stages, we unfortunately did not manage do that, but since I have arrived, the two draws, including Pedro Atletico away, and Esperance, I think the players can be proud of the progression that they have shown.”

The South African coach added: “I think they (players) have shown the right commitment, the right levels of playing for the Simba badge, but there is still a lot of work to be done to the team, so as to improve further.

“But it is clear both home matches against Esperance and Stade Malien, we started the first half very well, but seem to lose in the second half a bit of confidence, and control of the game, and maybe that is because of a little bit of anxiety, and a little bit of stress.

“We just have to learn how to start the game, like we are doing, and continue for the full 90 minutes, and I am sure if we do, then we will get a lot of positive results.”

Simba won one, drew two, and lost three

Barker concluded: “I am happy with the players’ performance, happy with the result, we can at least walk away from the Champions League knowing that we finished strong.”

Simba’s first point in the group stage came in a 1-1 draw against Petro Atletico at the Estádio 11 de Novembro in Luanda, Angola. The result marked Simba’s fifth match, and confirmed an end to their campaign in the competition.