Stellenbosch FC achieved a historic victory, defeating Stade Malien 2-0 to secure their spot in the quarter-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup. Despite playing three consecutive away games in a demanding week, the team showcased resilience and tactical brilliance, overcoming the experienced Mali champions.
Stellenbosch FC secured a commendable 2-0 victory over Stade Malien at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday, propelling them into the quarter-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup in their inaugural attempt. This triumph is particularly impressive considering the team played their third consecutive away game in a week.
Two of these matches were Group B encounters in the nearly deserted Loftus stadium in Pretoria, a considerable 1,500km from their Stellenbosch base, depriving them of fan support and home-ground advantage. They faced Stade Malien, the reigning Mali champions, a seasoned club with extensive experience in both the Champions League and Confederation Cup. Following the win, a jubilant Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker acknowledged the team's remarkable feat, emphasizing their demanding schedule of three games in a week, all away from home. 'I'm not complaining, but we won 2-0 today to reach the knockout stages of the Confed Cup. You know this is our third game in a week, and none of them in the Western Cape,' he said. 'Now we can go to Morocco next week with less stress.' The Stade Malien encounter marked Stellenbosch's penultimate Group B game, with their final fixture scheduled against Group B leaders RS Berkane in Morocco on Sunday (9pm kick-off). 'We are excited about what lies ahead going into the knockout stages. It was always our aim to take each stage at a time, to get through the preliminary, and then into the group stage,' Barker stated. 'We didn’t enjoy the best start with the two losses, but the team has shown great character, belief and trust in each other. 'In the process, we managed three wins on the trot. This is a credit to the effort the players have been putting in. I’m glad they’ve rewarded themselves with a knockout-stage game.' During last week's Chiefs versus Stellenbosch match at the FNB Stadium, the AmaKhosi coach Nasreddine Nabi was spotted in conversation with Stellenbosch midfielder Jayden Adams. At Sunday's post-match press conference, media members wasted no time in questioning Barker regarding a potential bid from Chiefs for Adams' services. 'I am not going to confirm nor deny your question about it was Adams’ last game for Stellenbosch. I can’t confirm anything, and I’m also not going to deny it,' Barker responded. 'We are a club that plans well, a club that understands the business of football. We accept there are times when your best players are not always easy to hold on to. 'It therefore makes us extra committed and focused to ensure we are finding the talent there is to bring in, and ensure the club will continue to be competitive. 'If you look at the January window and the last three windows, I think we have done the best and have been good. I cannot see why this present window will be any different.
Stellenbosch FC CAF Confederation Cup Stade Malien Quarter-Finals Steve Barker Jayden Adams Kaizer Chiefs RS Berkane
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