A HELPING HAND: Steve Barker taking tips from Rulani Mokwena and Mamelodi Sundowns on how to navigate prestigious continental football

Stellenbosch FC have qualified for African inter-club football next season, and it is now just a matter of confirmation on whether they will take part in the CAF Champions League or the second-tier CAF Confederation Cup. 

Barker’s outfit are second on the log, and a win against Richards Bay on the final day of the DStv Premiership will pave way to the Champions League.

However, if Orlando Pirates beat SuperSport and draw or lose, that would spell out Confederation Cup football for the Cape Winelands side.

Whichever competition Stellies find themselves in, Barker is already mapping out how to navigate the African inter-club space as this will be the first time Stellenbosch participates on the continent.

“Mentality-wise, it is going to be key [to be well-prepared] because we have to prepare for the unknowns, and we have to be prepared for what’s going to be thrown at us,” said Barker.

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“We have already asked them for help, but not from a footballing side but from a logistics side of things and how to approach certain things. I don’t know if we will be able to chart the planes and send chefs ahead in advance.

“But there are certain things that we can learn and it would be unwise for us to not speak to a team like Sundowns from a footballing point of view on and off the field.

“One can see how they have matured as a group of players, they know how to win and once you know how to win, you become a difficult team to play against.”

Barker is also looking to bolster his squad in anticipation of the added games into their calendar, should they reach the group stages of either CAF competition.

“It is just about getting the balance right between the economics of the game. You can say you want a bigger squad but that is going to cost you more money.

“But we will need a good balance of getting a rounded squad because you don’t want to go to Africa, and you are leaving four players back.

“What will four players do? Can they train? It is probably going to be tough. You want to at least have eight to 12 players who are left behind. So we will increase the number of the squad.”