Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker says his aspect has earned the proper to be the place they’re as they gear as much as face Zamalek within the CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final first leg at house on Wednesday afternoon.
Barker’s aspect first outing in inter-continental competitors noticed them end second in Group B with 9 factors having needed to undergo the preliminary stage. In the meantime, the defending champions topped Group D with 14 factors having not misplaced a match within the group stage.
Barker says although they really feel privileged to go toe to toe with considered one of Africa’s greatest, Stellies’ document within the cup competitions in the previous few seasons have ready them for the second including that their performances within the Confed cup marketing campaign additionally backs them as a worthy opponent who loves a superb problem.
“If we glance again during the last couple of years and having performed within the Carling closing and having received that and taking part in within the MTN8 closing, you realize, it reveals that the membership is progressing,” stated Barker.
“To be taking part in massive matches, simply the mere indisputable fact that we’re capable of get previous Sundowns over a two-legged affair to make the MTN [final], we had some actually massive matches that we’ve needed to play. However I imagine there’s all the time ranges and taking part in on the continent, I feel it’s a special stage.
“To be taking part in a staff comparable to Zamalek who’re the defending champions and we all know they’ve received not simply the CAF Confed, however the Champions League, 5 occasions. It turns into an enormous recreation for us.
“And I don’t suppose we’d be mistaken in saying that this is likely one of the largest video games that the membership is concerned in. Clearly, it’s not only a as soon as off recreation however a tie.
“So sure, we’re privileged to be on this place, however on the similar time, I maintain eager to remind everybody that I feel we’ve earned the proper to be on the identical kind of park as a staff like Zamalek.
“And lots of people might imagine we don’t have a possibility, however you realize our staff is constructed on resilience, is constructed on the flexibility to beat challenges and we’re wanting ahead to this problem.”
