South Africa have made history from international level to the club level as we have reached the highest standards of competitions.
Yesterday we witnessed the history in South African football fraternity as the last season top three teams reached the semi finals of CAF inter clubs.
Three of SA clubs procgressed into the next stage after winning their fixtures by 1-0 on aggregate score line.
Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker was left impressed with how his soldiers managed to secure the victory away from home.
He said “It was not an easy game. Zamalek had a lot of possession, and we needed to make sure that we keep the game at 0-0 for as long as possible.
“We knew that the pressure would be on Zamalek. And that if we scored in the second half, it was always going to be difficult for them.
“Our game plan was to be very tight and not to consider any goal. Because they would be more nervous as the game progressed.
“They controlled the game in the first 45 minutes but they could not play behind us. They created big chances and we were confident in the way we defended.
“It was very important for us not concede a goal at home. They created a great chance in the last minute. And our goalkeeper made a stunning save, and that was the turning point in the match.”
Stellies coach highlighted that playing with such top teams in the continent, it needs all effort being implemented.
Barker said “We needed to shower hunger and desire. You don’t come to play against this big team – the defending champions – in this stadium when you are not committed.
“I thank the players for the work they put in and for winning the match. We needed to focus on our game and [we] did not want to go to penalties. And we knew that one goal would give us a great chance to qualify.”
Barker feels like they should have made things easy in their first leg of encounter and noted that they feared their[opponents] pedigree.
He said “Maybe we gave them too much respect in the first leg because they are the defending champions.
“They are a team with massive history. After that game, we realised that it was possible to reach the semi-finals.
“And we knew there were deficiencies in their team. So, we came back in the second match with more bravery. And that was the difference.”
BY LUCKY SEANEGO
