Stellenbosch FC rev up for Sunday's CAF clash with stunning goal charge at Athlone Stadium

Stellenbosch FC is riding high after a dramatic 4-3 victory over Golden Arrows in a scintillating match at Athlone Stadium on Wednesday night. The Maroons’ triumph, marked by an impressive second-half performance, has invigorated the team’s spirit just days before their crucial CAF Confederation Cup clash on Sunday.

The match opened brightly for Stellenbosch, with Langelihle Phili finding the net early on, setting the tone for an exhilarating encounter. However, the visitors did not back down, equalising right before half-time through a powerful strike by Siyanda Ndlovu, which ignited a fierce exchange of goals from both sides.

The second half saw Andre de Jong score twice, with Junior Dion adding another for the visitors. Arrows went to respond through substitute Issac Cisse, who levelled the score at 3-3.

Just as it seemed the spoils would be shared, Muzomuhle Khanyi, who had just entered the fray, secured the win for Stellenbosch with a late goal, sending the home crowd into jubilation.

Reflecting on the match, Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker noted the balance of excitement and anxiety. “Seven-goal thriller, I think for the fans is nice, but for a coach, it’s not easy,” he commented.

“Both teams played to win tonight, but we needed the win, and there’s a difference between needing a win and wanting one.” He expressed relief over the crucial three points, especially after his team had struggled to score in recent matches.

Barker praised his squad’s effort and emphasised the importance of maintaining their early control in the game. “In the first 20-25 minutes, we controlled the tempo and the ball,” he said, adding that conceding a late goal in the first half was disheartening.

He urged his players to focus and replicate their strong start into the second half, which led to an open and thrilling match.

The victory sets a hopeful stage for the upcoming CAF Confederation Cup fixture against 15 de Agosto de Akonibe, coming just two days after a taxing trip to Equatorial Guinea. Despite the challenges of travel, Barker remains optimistic about the experience gained from playing on the continent.

“We are all professionals; football team players are professionals,” he noted, reinforcing the need for resilience and adaptability. “This last trip was especially long, but the motivation is that we can still have a truly  special season.”

With a cup final already reached, and the team’s apparent determination, Barker has been conscious about squad rotation. He hinted at using the match against the Equatorial Guinea side on Sunday as an opportunity to give other players valuable minutes, ensuring they remain fresh as the fixtures pile up. “It’s a privilege to be playing on the continent,” he stated proudly. “We want to be playing in Africa, and we don’t mind where we play.”

The coach concluded with an optimistic note, stating that the shared hardships of travel have the potential to strengthen team unity. “We brought in several new players, and enduring a little bit of hardship might, in the long run, be good and what we need.”