Stellenbosch’s confidence peaks ahead of KO clash against Marumo Gallants

Stellenbosch FC will face off against Marumo Gallants on Wednesday in Bloemfontein, brimming with confidence after an emphatic 4-1 win against their Equatorial Guinea opponents at Athlone Stadium on Sunday.

This decisive victory not only elevated the team’s spirits but also reinforced their aspirations to reclaim the title they last lifted two seasons ago.

Having shown excellent form against Kaizer Chiefs in the opening rounds of the Carling Knockout tournament, Stellies find themselves in a prime position to extend their cup run and assert themselves as a serious contender.

The emphatic nature of their recent victories (4-3 and 4-1) has instilled confidence in the squad, emboldening them as they prepare for the challenges ahead.

After Sunday’s performance, Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker was basking in the glory of a stellar display by his side, which secured their spot in the coveted group stage of the 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup.

“It was a solid performance from us, and I think, all around, it was clear to see that we were the better team and in control of the majority of the match,” Barker said, reflecting on the team’s display.

Looking back at the first half, Barker acknowledged the challenges they faced.

“We had been unlucky not to get an earlier goal with the chances we created, and we hit the post a couple of times,” he remarked. “So, going in with only a 1-0 lead at half-time, I thought we probably needed to have gotten another goal.”

The coach’s tactical adjustments and motivational strategies appeared to pay off as they entered the second half.

“The message at halftime was that we can’t afford not to go for the second goal and hopefully get a third,” he explained.

“We knew they would start tiring, and they would have to come out at us to try and get back in the game, and then that would hopefully be the opportunity to bury them in the game, which we did.”

Barker’s confidence in his players was well-placed, as the team raced to a 3-0 lead, making the latter stages of the match relatively comfortable. However, he expressed disappointment at conceding a goal, stating, “Obviously, you don’t want to be conceding sloppy goals, and clean sheets are always something that we want to be keeping.”

Among the standout performances was Lehlohonolo “Bradley” Mojela, who made a triumphant return from a lengthy injury absence.

“I had a good chat with Bradley early in the week to tell him that he is slowly getting back,” said Barker ,about Mojela. “It’s good to see him moving a lot better than what I’ve seen in the last couple of weeks.”