Stellenbosch FC have received a major boost ahead of their CAF Confederation Cup first-leg semi-final clash against Simba SC at the weekend.
The Cape Winelands-based outfit will lock horns with the Tanzanian giants on Sunday, 20 April, away from home.
This match will take place at the New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar at 15:00 [SA time]. The game was initially set to be played at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, however, it was moved because the venue is going under maintenance and the work won’t be finished before April 20.
Stellies reached the semi-finals of the Confed Cup following a 1-0 aggregate victory over Egyptian powerhouse and defending champions Zamalek, while Simba triumphed over another Egyptian side, Al Masry, 4-1 in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 aggregate stalemate.
WHO IS RETURNING FROM INJURY FOR STELLENBOSCH FC
Stellenbosch head coach Steve Barker confirmed that captain Sage Stephens will be available for their semi-final tie against Fadlu Davids’ side.
Stephens missed the club’s midweek Betway Premiership fixture against AmaZulu FC due to an injury. Stellies won the game 1-0, thanks to Sanele Barns’ goal. The 34-year-old has played 39 games across all competitions for Stellenbosch this season. He managed to keep 17 clean sheets and conceded 32 goals.
His decent displays earned him a Bafana Bafana call-up. He was named in Hugo Broos’ 23-man squad that faced Uganda and South Sudan in the CAF 2025 AFCON qualifiers in November last year.
“I saw Sage and had a little bit of follow-up [about the injury progress after the AmaZulu game],” said Barker. “The reason he didn’t play [against AmaZulu FC] was to let him recover fully. But he seems to be good.
“So, he will travel with the team to Tanzania. I’m confident that by the weekend, he will be available. He seems to have recovered from the injury. He has been big for us this whole season, and it’s important for him to be available.”
The return-leg between the two sides will be played in SA on the 27th of April at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
RELATED STORY: Steve Barker’s thoughts on facing Fadlu Davids in Confed Cup semis