As Stellenbosch FC gears up for their historic CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final clash against Egyptian giants Zamalek, head coach Steve Barker believes that the recent visit from renowned coach Pitso Mosimane has provided invaluable insights that could prove crucial in their pursuit of success.
Stellenbosch, who have only been in South Africa's top-flight league for six years, are set to host Zamalek in the first leg at Cape Town Stadium on April 2, 2025. The second leg will take place in Cairo on April 9, 2025. This match marks a significant milestone for the club as they compete in their first-ever CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final.
Barker expressed his appreciation for Mosimane's visit, stating, "It was nice to have Pitso here. He was down with the North vs South Toyota [rugby] tournament. He has a big passion for football, so he was down here to see how Rugby is doing it. Since he was here, it wouldn’t have been wise of us not to use the opportunity to use his expertise and the knowledge that he has, having coached in Egypt and played a number of times against Zamalek."
The Stellenbosch coach emphasized the importance of Mosimane's experience, particularly regarding the mentality and emotional engagement that Zamalek brings to their matches. Barker noted, "It was nice to hear from him, the mentality and the emotional engagement that Zamalek have, and just giving us a little bit of an input on how to approach these types of games. To have that experience from somebody who has won the Champions League and played against Zamalek on a number of occasions was really great for us as coaches and the players."
Stellenbosch's journey to this stage has been remarkable, considering their relatively short history in professional football. The club has only one major trophy to its name, the Carling Cup, yet they have made significant strides in their continental campaign. Barker remarked, "We are here. It’s not an April Fool’s joke! It certainly is pinch me, wake up, everybody’s dreaming territory for the country’s footballing Cinderella."
Facing Zamalek, the current holders of both the CAF Confederation Cup and CAF Super Cup, presents a daunting challenge. The Egyptians have lost just one of their last 21 Confederation Cup matches and boast a rich history, including five CAF Champions League titles. Barker acknowledged the contrast between the two clubs, stating, "Playing on the continent, I think, is a different level. To be playing a team such as Zamalek who are the defending champions becomes a massive game for us."
Despite the odds, Barker is confident in his team's resilience and ability to compete. He stated, "A lot of people may believe we don't have an opportunity, but our team is built on resilience. It's built on the ability to overcome challenges. And we are looking forward to this challenge."
In preparation for the match, Barker has relied on experienced players like captain and goalkeeper Sage Stephens, who has been instrumental in the club's success throughout the tournament. Stephens, who played in all but one match for Stellenbosch in the competition, shared his thoughts on the team's journey: "For the club, it is very special because it was one of our targets, things we have set out for ourselves. For South African football - it is positive if you look at the teams that are competing at this level it’s Sundowns, Pirates and Stellenbosch. It is our first time playing in CAF, and we have reached the quarter-finals; credit must be shown to the team for how we have handled this situation and being able to compete as we're doing."
The goalkeeper also acknowledged the challenges of playing against unfamiliar opponents in various hostile environments. He stated, "I think physically it takes its toll because of the long travels, between the airports and the long wait. On your body, it takes its toll, but one thing we're able to do is adapt to it. Also, mentally it is not easy being in a different country and being so far from home, playing oppositions you have never seen before."
As Stellenbosch prepares for this monumental clash, they are aware of the threats posed by Zamalek's star players, including Ahmed “Zizo” Sayed and captain Omar Gaber. Barker noted, "We’re aware of some of the key players. Zizo, for example, is probably one of the best players in the Egyptian league. He’s a prominent figure for the national team. I think it’s important that we’ve done our analysis as well as we can. We know their dangers."
On the other side, Zamalek's coach, José Peseiro, is also taking the match seriously, recognizing the growth of Stellenbosch as a competitive side. He commented, "It's a good team … very good character, very good character. Congratulations for the coach. They fight, they fight, they fight. I think Stellenbosch is one team that has grown up a lot in the last years; showed good quality, good organization, good capacity, good coach, good players. They show good character on the pitch, character of the fighter."
As the kickoff approaches, both teams are aware of the stakes involved. For Stellenbosch, this match is not just about advancing in the tournament; it represents a chance to prove themselves on a continental stage. With the support of their fans and the invaluable guidance from Mosimane, they are ready to face the challenge head-on.
As the first leg kicks off at 15:00 local time, all eyes will be on Cape Town Stadium to see if Stellenbosch can secure a positive result against Zamalek, setting the stage for a thrilling return leg in Cairo next week.
