Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker was delighted with a winning start to the club’s first foray into continental club competition as they beat Nsingizini Hotspurs from Eswatini 3-0 in the first leg of their African Confederation Cup first round tie.
Saturday’s match was played at Moses Mabhida Stadium because the Swazis do not have a suitable stadium for international matches and the return next Saturday is also at the Durban venue because Stellenbosch were unable to a secure a venue in the Cape.
The Winelands club, who finished third in the Premiership last season to book a place in the Confederation Cup, were 2-0 up at halftime after goals from Andre de Jong and Devon Titus. The third goal came in the second half when Fawaaz Basadien netted from the penalty spot after Lehlohonholo Mojela was brought down in the box.
“I thought that we started the game well, I thought we had good control, especially the first 45 minutes. We moved the ball around well, we were patient in our build up, we played with a lot of confidence, a lot of good movement,” said Barker.
“As we expected, our opposition were well drilled in terms of their defensive structure, and it did make it difficult for us to create chances. But the key was to remain patient. The key was to just keep probing and hopefully something would happen. And then, as it was, through good open play and good football, we actually scored our goals from more messy situations. But sometimes you get rewarded for the pressure that you put on the opposition, that eventually something comes from it.”
But the Stellenbosch coach warned the tie was far from over.
“The game is not finished. It's only halftime. We must come out next week, and we have to show the same character and the same sort of attitude towards the game because I can anticipate the opposition will really come out. They've got nothing to lose. They will come and try to get themselves back into the tie. So we again will expect a tough game,” Barker added.
The winner of the tie advances to a second round meeting against AS Vita Club of the Democratic Republic of Congo next month.