Khomotjo Lekoloane (centre), who scored for Stellenbosch FC against Kaizer Chiefs, will hope to find the back of the net again tomorrow at Loftus Versfeld. Photo: BackpagePix
Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker has issued a passionate rallying call to Mzansi fans to support the ‘Maroons’ at Loftus Versfeld tomorrow (3pm kick-off) when CAF history beckons for the Cape Winelands-based outfit.
Stellenbosch will host Mali giants Stade Malien in a CAF Confederation Cup Group B clash at Loftus in Pretoria, the club’s choice as the home venue for the second successive week.
For many reasons, Stellenbosch have been unable to play at their Danie Craven Stadium headquarters or nearby venues in the Western Cape.
As a result, they can seldom count on home crowd support or home-ground advantage.
Loftus is one of South Africa’s iconic rugby stadiums as the home of the Bulls, and smack bang in Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United country.
Stellenbosch are hardly likely to garner support there, and last week, a few fans trickled into the stadium to watch the side against Angola’s Desportivo Lunda Sul, who suffered a 2-0 defeat.
It was Stellenbosch’s second win over the Angolans in Group B play, and with six log points in the bag, they are in second place behind Morocco’s RS Berkane, who have won all four matches to date (12 points).
Stade Malien, with four points, and Lunda Sul, with one, fill the remaining two berths on the Group B log.
Tomorrow’s outcome will be vital for both sides, who have two matches remaining.
For Stellenbosch, a victory will ensure they will finish in the top two places on the log, and that secures a berth in the quarter-final round, with one match outstanding.
A win for Stade Malien keeps the team’s hopes alive of reaching the quarter-finals at Stellenbosch’s expense.
Stade Malien are a well established club that have played in the Champions League and Confederation Cup many times.
They are 27-time Premier League champions of Mali, and they won the Confederation Cup once.
Against this background, Barker has called for crowd support as they target the quarter-finals in their maiden year.
It will be a milestone in the history of the eight-year-old club if they reach the quarter-finals in their first year of continental football.
They will also look to bounce back from Wednesday’s 2-1 Premiership defeat to Kaizer Chiefs at the FNB Stadium, where Khomotjo Lekoloane grabbed the opening goal.
Khomotjo Lekoloane opened his goalscoring account for the club last night 👏pic.twitter.com/V76AmiVBYe
— Stellenbosch FC (@StellenboschFC) January 9, 2025
“Sunday is a massive game for us, because should we win that game, we go to the knockout stages,” said Barker.
“It is sad that we are not back playing in the Western Cape. All I can ask once again is for the supporters to come and support us on Sunday at Loftus.”
Barker says his club are flying Mzansi’s flag in Africa, and their achievements will be a good advertisement for local football.
“Ultimately, we are representing South Africa and not just Stellenbosch FC,” said Barker.
“It would be nice if we could get a good crowd behind us, to get us over the line by bringing the energy.
“Being our maiden campaign in the Confederation Cup, it would be special to qualify for the knockout stages.
“Any support we can muster at Loftus would be nice. It would also be nice to have as much media as possible there on Sunday.
“We are looking forward to it and ready for it. It’s a great opportunity. They are not an easy team to play against because they are champions in their country.
“Stade Malien has to win, and we have to win.” | Independent Media Sport