Steve Barker: Stellies boss eyes third place and return to CAF Confederation Cup

Photo: Stellenbosch FC

Stellenbosch are faced with one more task to finish the 2024/25 Betway Premiership in third place as they travel to Cape Town City for their final game of the season.

The Stellies have enjoyed a good domestic campaign this term, making their first appearance in the continental competition where they reached the semifinal but suffered elimination at the hands of Tanzania’s Simba SC.

They will return to the CAF Confederation Cup if they beat Cape Town City at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday, May 24 at 3pm to stay in third. They currently have 47 points, one better than Sekhukhune United after 27 matches this season.

Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker is eyeing another third-place finish and a return to the CAF Confederation Cup to be better prepared next season.

“We, as coaches and players, want to play against different opposition, the best on the continent. The experience of playing against Zamalek and Simba was special, and the players enjoyed it,” Barker said.

“Yes, it makes it tougher [but] at the end of the day we are professionals, and we want to play football and as many games as we can because if we do that, we are being successful. We feel maybe that in our first (CAF) season we learnt a lot of lessons and going into another Confederation Cup, we will be better prepared, and we also have the desire to win any competition that we play."

“No rest for any of us. One more big game on Saturday against Cape Town City, a derby that normally has a bit of spice in it. It is a big game for both clubs, so it’s important for us to have one big final effort left for us this season.”