CAFCC: Stellenbosch FC didn’t know AS Otohô – Barker

South Africa’s Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker has shared insights on how they overcame AS Otohô D’Oyo FC in a CAF Confederation Cup match on Sunday.

The Congo Ligue 1 champions frustrated their South African hosts for the better part of the Group C match at New Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Better late than never 😍#HeartoftheCape #MoreThanFootball #StellenboschFC 🍇 pic.twitter.com/BTyp1JMqHh

— Stellenbosch FC (@StellenboschFC) November 23, 2025

However, the Betway Premiership side found a way to secure the win courtesy of second-half substitute Ashley Cupido’s 93rd-minute strike to break AS Otohô’s hearts.

Barker has since disclosed that they didn’t know AS Otohô’s style of play; hence, took time to study them during the course of the game.

“Before the game started, we didn’t know our opposition that well. We did our analysis on them and had some of their games, but it was important in the first 10-15 minutes to see what they are about, and they seemed to be a decent team,” the coach told Stellenbosch SC website.

Barker’s analysis of AS Otohô of strengths

Barker then shared his analysis of the opposition, citing their sound technical ability and how they tried to cause an upset.

He said: “They’re technically quite good, have decent players, and looked quite threatening at times, so the first-half was just about staying in the game because in too many games of late, we’ve been conceding early goals, which puts us on the back foot.

“We didn’t want to fall behind so we were a little bit more pragmatic in our approach, unlike we would normally be when we play at home, but it’s important for us to build those building blocks. It’s not only in this competition, but in other competitions as well, that we need to be doing well and doing better.”

Barker then explained how his substitutions worked, adding that he had a sense of belief that a goal would come from the bench.

“In the second half, we had a lot of strength off the bench, and I told the starters to be solid for the first 15-20 because I had a feeling the opposition would start tiring,” he said.

“They did, they started cramping, and we had the ability to bring on people like Ashley Cupido, Thato Khiba, Sanele Barns, Genino Palace, and Langelihle Phili, who are real quality players, off the bench.

“I had the feeling we’d be able to win it off the bench but as the game went on and on, it could have gone either way. But, one good moment, a good pass in behind by Thato for Ashley, where he is at his deadliest running onto things, and we got the goal.

Stellies will now shift their focus to the next assignment for the group against Singida Black Stars in Zanzibar on Sunday.

The Betway Premiership team now occupies second place in the group on a goal- aggregate behind leaders CR Belouizdad who eased to a home 2-0 victory over Black Stars in Algeria on Sunday.