The Maroons' veteran coach is finding the going difficult in the continental competition and has now presided over his side's elimination and it came in humiliating fashion. He now leads his men to fully focus on domestic duties.
The Red Lions of Msimbazi collected a point away from home after playing to a draw against Petro de Luanda in their Group D match of the CAF Champions League on Saturday. The Tanzanian giants showed resilience in Luanda to hold the hosts in a tightly contested encounter at Estádio 11 de Novembro, however, the result was not enough to keep their campaign alive, as their journey in this season’s competition comes to an end.
The former Premier League outfit Fulham and Morocco defender has been giving players chances to prove their worth at the Sea Robbers. However, he has also made some daring calls like letting the South Africa international striker leave in the recent transfer window. The 47-year-old tactician has now justified his decision.
The Maroons picked up a crucial point on the road against the Tanzanian outfit, with the match ending 1–1 as they continue to assert their recognisable presence on the continental stage. However, Stellies were left frustrated on Sunday after the draw — a result that coach Steve Barker believes could have been very different with fairer officiating.
Teams are already working hard to identify the players who can improve their teams in the January Transfer window as they continue chasing their targets of the season. Among the teams that might end up losing some top players, as it has been the norm recently, is Steve Barker's Stellies, whose star has been linked with a move abroad.
The Maroons travel to Olympia Park Stadium on Wednesday evening in high spirits after their 1–0 victory in the CAF Confederation Cup group-stage campaign. They now turn their attention to the resilient Mswenko Boys, aiming to secure crucial points in their push to climb the Premier Soccer League log. Still battling to escape the relegation zone, the Western Cape team sits on nine points in 15th place, while their opponents hold a four-point advantage above them.
The Western Cape side pulled out all the tricks in the book when they took their Congolese opponents, AS Otohô to Polokwane due to stadium unavailability in the Mother City. The move ultimately worked in Stellies’ favour, as they walked away with maximum points at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium, securing a one-nil victory in the dying minutes. It was the perfect start to their continental campaign, especially after falling short in the semi-finals of the previous competition.
It was almost the perfect weekend for Mzansi sides in continental football. Mamelodi Sundowns were in CAF Champions League action on Saturday, while Stellenbosch FC and Kaizer Chiefs did duty in the Confederation Cup on Sunday. Downs, although slightly underwhelming, managed to beat Orlando Pirates slayers Saint Eloi-Lupopo at home. Stellies, meanwhile, left it late to see off Otoho d’Oyo. It was then over to Amakhosi to ensure South African teams completed a perfect outing in the CAF interclub competition, but they disappointed.
Last season’s CAF Confederation Cup semi-finalists, Stellies, launched their group stage journey at New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Sunday, 23 November. The Cape Winelands outfit, who thrilled fans with a deep run in the previous campaign, fell short in the last four against Tanzania’s Simba SC but now return determined to go further.
The Winelands club have been a steady PSL mainstay since they gained promotion to the top division in 2019. Last season saw them compete in continental competition for the first time where they reached the semi finals of the CAF Confederations Cup. Now, however, they find themselves mired in a relegation fight while trying to balance the demands of CAF competition once again.
There’s no doubt, Mzansi football is on the up. One just needs to take one look at the performances of Bafana Bafana over the last few years. Since Hugo Broos took charge, the national team has improved significantly, and the recent nominations of SA players at the CAF Awards were a testament to that fact.
AS Otoho
