Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker has maintained confidence that his troops will overcome their narrow deficit, describing Simba SC as a ‘beatable’ team.
Barker’s side suffered a 1-0 defeat in the first leg semifinal of the CAF Confederation Cup to the Reds Of Msimbazi courtesy of Jean Ahoua’s first half goal to seal the victory for Fadlu Davids’ side.
The Cape Winelands side have an opportunity to turn the tie around, and to advance, Stellies need to win by a two-goal margin; should they win by 1-0, that will send the game to penalties. Should they win by one goal, allowing Simba to score, they will be eliminated, with the away rule still applying in the African continent.
After overcoming Egyptian giants Zamalek SC in the quarterfinals, Barker remained confident that they would come back and put up a fight against Simba, even though it won’t be easy.
“We were a team that was stronger, we got better, obviously we were pushing to get an away goal,” Barker told the media.
“I’m very confident next week we will overcome this deficit, there’s no surety that we will get into the final, but based on what I have seen, Simba are beatable.”
With one South African tactician already guaranteed a place in the final, only time will tell who it will be when the two sides clash for the second leg on Sunday, 27 April.
The tie at the Moses Mabhida Stadium will commence at 15:00.
