By Everson Luhanga
- Stellenbosch FC lost 2-0 to Stade Malien in their CAF Confederation Cup match in Mali.
- Coach Steve Barker played nine players aged 23 or younger in the tough away game.
When those in the know say experience is the best teacher, they don’t say it jokingly.
Stellenbosch FC’s young team learned a hard lesson in African football after losing 2-0 to Stade Malien in Mali on Wednesday.
The Cape Winelands team’s debut in the CAF Confederation Cup Group B got off to a poor start.
Playing in Africa for the first time, the Stellies faced a much more experienced Malian side in their Group B match at the March 26 Stadium.
Coach Steve Barker fielded several young players, including Jayden Adams, Omega Mdaka, Ibraheem Jabaar, Kyle Jurgens and Langelihle Phili.
“It was a good experience for us; we played nine players under the age of 23 and younger,” Barker told the media after the game.
“There is a lot of work to be done, and there are certain areas where we can improve.”
The team missed injured striker Lehlohonolo Mojela, while in-form Andre de Jong started on the bench.
“It’s, of course, not the result we wanted; it was a bit disappointing,” Barker said. “I don’t think there was a better team. A bit of a deflected goal—the only chance they created the whole first half.”
“We hit the crossbar. In the second half, they stopped playing, and we had a lot more possession, but we probably didn’t use it well enough. Our final third execution was just not up to the required level.”
Stellenbosch now faces Orlando Pirates in a league game at Orlando Stadium on Sunday.
The Pirates are in high spirits after beating Algerian side CR Belouizdad away in the CAF Champions League on Tuesday.
Pictured above: Stellenbosch FC forward Langelihle Phili under the challenge of a Stade Malien player.
Source: Stellenbosch FC
