Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker chats to his team ahead of their crucial CAF Confederations Cup quarterfinal against Zamalek at the DHL Stadium. Picture: BackpagePix
Image: BackpagePix
Stellenbosch FC have left no stone unturned ahead of their first-ever CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final first-leg clash against Egyptian giants Zamalek at DHL Stadium on Wednesday by tapping into former Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane.
Stellies have enjoyed a majestic maiden voyage into African football by reaching the quarter-final stage, but now face one of the continent’s greatest ever teams with Zamalek the current Confederation Cup defending champions.
Mosimane, who is widely regarded as South Africa’s best ever club coach due to his success on the African continent, particularly in Egypt where he led Zamalek’s great rivals, Al Ahly, to a CAF Champions League title and CAF Super Cup triumphs.
The former Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana mentor caused great misery for Zamalek’s supporters whilst in Egypt, having held the upper hand in many domestic encounters. Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker could, therefore, not let the opportunity go to waste when Mosimane visited the winelands region recently.
“Yes, it was nice to have Pitso Mosimane,” Barker told the media on Tuesday. “It would have been not wise of us, him being in Stellenbosch, not to use the expertise and knowledge that he has.
“Obviously, having coached in Egypt and having played a number of times against Zamalek, I think according to him it was eight matches and he hadn't lost against them.
“So, it was nice to just hear from him, the mentality, the emotional engagement that the players have. Just giving us a little bit of input when he was at Sundowns, how they approach these types of games.
“To have that experience, as one of the Champions League and played against Zamalek on a number of occasions. It was really good for us to hear as coaches and also for the players, also to get some insight from him. It was really good.”
Barker’s side are fresh off a disappointing Betway Premiership defeat to Carling Cup winners Magesi FC over the weekend, but the experienced coach believes his team are ready for easily the biggest game in the club’s history.
“I believe it's a momentous occasion for us as a football club. It's not an April Fool’s joke, we're here. So yeah, we're looking forward to it, we know the challenges that lie ahead but at the same time I believe we've earned the right to be here and we've deserved this opportunity,” he said.
“We've had to come through obviously qualifying firstly through the lead-lock position and then through the preliminary stages and group stages after a bit of a difficult start.
“I think we can be proud of what we've achieved but I do believe that there's no reason why we can't have belief that we can get to the next round. I think it's about every time making the following round your objective changes and we are now in the mix to get to a semi-final more confident.
“We've prepared well. I think there's a lot of bubbliness around the squad, a lot of energy both on and off the field. A lot of excitement from not only the players but the coaching staff and the club as a whole to be hosting a team of some of the next calibre.”
Kick-off is at 3pm.