Stellenbosch FC unfazed by Zamalek stature - Steve Barker

The side from the Winelands face the title holders in Cairo following a goalless stalemate in the quarter-final first leg played in Cape Town a week ago. 

Barker knows the mammoth task that awaits his relatively young team at the Cairo National Stadium, but says they will not be fazed. 

"We've prepared for all scenarios, I think we've had the opportunity to have played and done our analysis [on them], and there's not only one outstanding player in the Zamalek team but a lot of match winners within the team," said Barker.

"So we have to be aware and also playing at home, we do believe they will have a passionate crowd behind them, giving them that sort of encouragement.

"But there are definitely key players within the team that we have to be aware of – I think we even saw in the last 10 minutes of our home game that, if given too much time and space in key areas, they are a team that can hurt us.

"So we're well prepared and we'll make sure that we're prepared for any situation."

The coach reiterated that for his players to reach this stage of the competition on debut was a milestone they do not take for granted. 

"We are very excited, firstly, for the match and as you're all well aware, it's our first campaign in the Confed Cup or on the continent, so to be playing a team of Zamalek's calibre here in Egypt is an honour and privilege for us, and we're all looking forward to the game," he concluded.

RECAP: Stellies, Zamalek draw blanks in CAFCC quarter-final first leg