CAFCC: Barker rates Stellenbosch FC’s group stage chances

Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker has rated his South African team’s CAF Confederation Cup group stage chances after a barren draw with 15 de Agosto de Akonibe in Equatorial Guinea on Sunday.

The Betway Premiership side had chances to score during the second preliminary round first leg match, but the PSL’s seasoned coach is not overly concerned with the result from Estadio de Ebibeyin.

Barker cited unfavourable playing conditions and the weather as having posed physical and mental challenges on his Western Cape-based side.

“It was not an easy encounter,” Barker told his team’s media. “There were a lot of difficulties within the game; the weather conditions, the pitch, but I think we applied ourselves well for the majority of the game.

“We were the better team, but unfortunately, we weren’t able to convert one or two of the chances that we created. But, the players have done well to come out of these conditions having not conceded.”

The 2024 Confederation Cup semi-finalists are now looking forward to getting the business done in the reverse fixture this weekend at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town in South Africa.

Barker said: “We’re prepared and ready to take the tie back home now and hopefully get the job done to get through to the group stage.”

Why Steve Barker wants more despite clean sheets

Stellies have now kept clean sheets in four consecutive matches across all competitions, but the ever-demanding Barker wants more firepower upfront.

“It’s always important that you don’t concede. Keeping clean sheets is key to winning football matches, but we need to still continue working on converting more of the opportunities that we are creating, and in the final third execution and decision-making,” he said.

“We have to be better at that, but coming away not conceded under today’s circumstances, and still being in a strong position in the tie, is very important.”

Barker has since switched his focus to a midweek’s domestic league assignment against fellow Betway Premiership opponents, Golden Arrows.