STELLENBOSCH FC coach Steve Barker has hailed goalkeeper Sage Stephens’ geharde save in the first-leg as “the turning point” that led to his span achieving a first-ever berth in the Caf Confederation Cup semi-finals.
Stephens kept clean sheets both home and away against Egyptian giants Zamalek with Sihle Nduli’s 79th-minute winner at Cairo International Stadium separating the two teams.
But Barker believes Stephens’ point-blank save in the dying stages in Cape Town last week allowed Stellenbosch to approach the second leg with confidence.
Barker said after Wednesday’s 1-0 victory in Cairo: “I think it was very important for us not to concede an away goal. I think you all know, in our home game, Zamalek had a really big chance in the 86th minute.
“We made a really big save and I think that was a turning point. Had they scored there, and it would have made our trip coming here very difficult.
“So, knowing that we hadn't conceded an away goal, it was just a message to the players that we have to show hunger, we have to show desire, we have to work hard, and you don't come to a place like this stadium, against a team like this, who are defending champions, and win without effort.”
Stellies were certainly not overawed by the occasion of fronting up to the five-time Caf Champions League winners on their home patch and showed refreshing attacking intent from the outset.
The visitors grew in confidence the longer the match stayed goalless with Barker turning up the tempo even more after halftime with the introduction of substitutes Chumani Butsaka and Nku.
The arrival of Sanele Barns and Khomotjo Lekoloane on the hour mark turned up the heat even more on Zamalek.
Barker adds: “I think maybe we gave Zamalek too much respect in the first game. Obviously, playing against the reigning defending champions, a team with a massive history, at home, maybe we just gave too much respect.
“But after the game, I said to our team and I think our players realised that, you know what, it’s not impossible to get to the semi-final.”