Stellenbosch FC will kick off their 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup group stage phase when they host Congolese club AS Otohô at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, Limpopo today.
Even though the Cape Winelands team is struggling in the Betway Premiership and is languishing in the relegation zone, head coach Steve Barker said the squad is buzzing with excitement and pride as they continue to represent South Africa on the continental stage.
“It’s very exciting to get our Confederation Cup campaign underway,” Barker said ahead of the clash. “Everybody is raring to go, and we’re looking forward to hosting AS Otohô. Getting off to a good start by winning this home match will be key in this competition.”
Barker added that the Fifa international break provided an important window for tactical refinement and physical preparation of the team.
“We were able to work on improving a lot of things, which we can hopefully apply this Sunday,” said Barker.
Stellies opted for the 2010 Fifa World Cup venue due to the unavailability of Athlone Stadium, their alternate venue in the Premier Soccer League. Their home ground the Danie Craven Stadium doesn’t meet CAF and Fifa standards.
“I think travelling around last season has prepared us for it this season,” Barker noted. “We know the challenges with stadiums in Cape Town, so playing some of these games away from home is not new to us.”
He praised the Peter Mokaba pitch, saying: “It has one of the best surfaces in the country, and we’ve played there a few times this season, so we know the stadium well. That’s a positive for us.”
Stellenbosch are fully aware of the threat posed by AS Otohô, six-time Congo Ligue 1 champions who are making their third appearance in the CAF Confederation Cup Group Stage.
“We’ve done our analysis,” Barker said. “They have national team players and have earned the right to be in this competition. So, we have a healthy respect for them.
“Our analysis shows they have good individual players and are a strong, physical team. We have to be at our best, execute our game plan, and play to our strengths.”
The Western Cape side booked its spot in the group phase after a convincing 4–1 aggregate win over Angola’s 15 de Agosto last month.
Stellies’ opponents in the 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup Group Stage (Group C) are CR Belouizdad (Algeria), Otohô (Congo) and Singida Black Stars (Tanzania).
