Barker reacts to SA teams’ strong performance in CAF inter-club competitions
Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker reacted to SA teams’ strong performance in the CAF inter-club competitions after the conclusion of the Champions League and Confederation Cup quarter-final matches.
This comes after history was made as three South African teams [Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates, and Stellenbosch FC] reached the semi-final stage of the CAF inter-club competitions for the first time in the same season.
Pirates booked the Champions League semi-final spot after defeating Algerian side MC Alger with a 1-0 aggregate score, whereas Sundowns advanced to the semis after a 1-0 aggregate win over Esperance of Tunisia.
Meanwhile, Stellies progressed to the semi-finals of the Confederation Cup after a 1-0 victory on aggregate against Egyptian giants Zamalek.
In addition, the Barker-coached side advanced to the Confederation Cup semi-finals in their debut CAF participation. The last PSL team to make it to the tournament’s semi-finals in their first CAF season was Marumo Gallants in the 2022/23 campaign.
WHAT STEVE BARKER SAID ABOUT SA TEAMS’ PROGRESS IN CAF INTER-CLUB COMPETITION
Barker emphasised that the qualification of Stellenbosch, Sundowns, and Pirates to the semi-finals of the CAF inter-club competitions shows that the South African top-flight is strong and competitive.
He proceeded to provide an analogy regarding Stellenbosch’s performance in the PSL over the past two seasons, clinching the Carling Knockout Cup title and reaching the MTN8 finals.
“I was convinced that we will be back here [in Egypt] in two weeks, but unfortunately, we are not coming back. But we have achieved a lot in a short space of time. You know, we won a cup in our domestic league last season. This season, we were in the finals of the MTN8,” said Barker.
“We play often against teams like Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, and we held our own. Sundowns and Pirates are also through, this does show that South African football is strong.
“Also, our national team [Bafana Bafana] is doing well at AFCON [qualified for the AFCON], and we may qualify for the World Cup. So, I think it’s healthy.
“It’s good that there is a certain region that can compete against the giants of African football, which is the North Africans. So, we are very proud of what we are doing and looking forward to the game against Simba.”
The Cape Winelands-based outfit will face Tanzanian giants Simba SC in the semi-finals of the Confederation Cup. Simba, under the guidance of South African coach Fadlu Davids, defeated Egypt’s Al Masry 4-1 in a penalty shootout following a 2-2 aggregate tie.
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