It doesn't get bigger than playing Zamalek in their backyard, says Stellenbosch coach Barker

Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker is looking forward to his team embracing the almighty challenge that awaits them in Cairo when they face Zamalek in the CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final second leg on Wednesday.

The two sides are deadlocked at the moment after the goalless draw at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town last week. Stellenbosch FC were intent not to concede an away goal and are now confident of dethroning the defending champions. 

“Our main objective going into the first leg was just to ensure that we are competitive and that we can travel away with either to hold on to something or to still be in the tie. So yes, I thought we equipped ourselves really well,” Barker said.

“There are certain areas that we have to improve and look to be better, which we will definitely do so in our preparation leading up to the second leg, but it was important for us not to concede any goals.

“Playing against the big teams on the continent and playing away from home against Zamalek in the backyard, you don't get bigger than that. So, we're really super excited to take up that challenge and to travel and to go there and to give our best. I think for both teams, the tie is in the balance.”

Stellenbosch FC have shown great resilience throughout their maiden CAF Confederation Cup campaign, particularly as they have been forced to play their “home” matches in Pretoria and Durban due to the non-availability of a football venue in the Western Cape. 

Barker believes these circumstances have readied his team for the ultimate challenge.

“We've just got to go and really prepare well now that we know what we know. We have to do really good analysis, really good preparation, but most importantly, we've just got to go out there and show the same commitment and levels that we showed at home,” he said.

“Even at a higher level, it's obviously going to be difficult away from home, an intimidating venue, intimidating crowd, but it's all things that we as coaches and footballers look forward to playing in those conditions, so looking forward to it.”

Despite Stellies’ rookie status on the African continent, Barker feels his team showed enough quality in the first leg to have earned the respect of the Egyptian giants. 

“After the performance in the first leg, I don't think we'll be underestimated.  I've always said all along, teams will underestimate us at their own peril. But it just showed that our league is a competitive league locally, with all the teams holding their own and doing really well.

"So, it's just important for us to remain, don't become complacent. 

“There are many areas that we can improve on from the previous game, because we know that if we want to get past them in the second leg, we have to play to our full potential and we have to take the chances that we get. We just have to make sure that we play as well as we can.”