Barker targets strong home record as Stellies launch CAF campaign

STELLENBOSCH FC head coach Steve Barker says that securing home victories will be crucial as his side kicks off their CAF Confederation Cup campaign against AS Otoho from the Republic of Congo at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday.

- OBAKENG MELETSE

Stellies raised expectations last season by reaching the semifinals of this competition, marking another significant step in the club’s rapid growth under Barker. Their impressive run came to an end with a narrow 1-0 aggregate defeat to Fadlu Davids’ Simba SC—a loss that still highlighted how far the side had progressed.

This year, the landscape is different. Stellies head into this important stage needing a lift after a patch of mixed domestic form, a contrast to the momentum they carried into the competition last season.

Their confidence, however, has been boosted by a convincing 4-1 victory over Equatorial Guinea's 15 de Agusto in the second preliminary round—a result that secured their place in the group phase. Barker says the switch in focus to continental action has come at the right time.