Despite their poor start to the CAF Confederation Cup campaign, Stellenbosch FC's quest to advance to the play-offs has reached a critical stage after they revived their hopes with a maiden win in Angola last month.
Stellenbosch had lost the opening two matches (3-1 RSB Berkane and 2-0 Stade Malien) but then bounced back to defeat Lunda Sul in Angola, thanks to a Devin Titus goal in the final minute. The eventual 1-0 scoreline did not reflect Stellenbosch's dominance.
This evening, Stellenbosch hosts Lunda Sul in their fourth Group B match at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria. Unless Stellenbosch comes away with maximum points they are unlikely to reach the play-offs.
Ivory Coast-born fullback Ismaël Touré, who will be marshalling the Stellenbosch rearguard from the central defence, said the team will treat the remaining Group B games as "finals" to reach the play-offs.
“Preparations are going well, and the squad is looking good. We are all aware of the importance of Sunday’s match,” said Touré.
“The three remaining group stage matches are all finals for us, and we must rectify our previous mistakes from our first two matches if we want to qualify for the next round (play-offs).
“We indeed beat Lunda Sul in Angola but that doesn’t mean it will be an easy match because they are a good team. It will be up to us to do the right things and give everything to come away with the win at Loftus.
“We have to respect them as adversaries and know that this is a different game altogether that will require us to be at our best. Our ambition remains to qualify and that starts on Sunday with a victory against Lunda Sul.”
Although Stellenbosch is competing in Africa for the first time, Touré is enjoying his fourth continental campaign after previously featuring in the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup with ASEC Mimosas (Ivory Coast heavyweights), and the latter competition with Marumo Gallants as well.
“I know African competitions very well and reached the semi-final with Gallants before joining Stellenbosch,” said Touré.
“I will try my best to show my experience and help the club and my teammates experience Africa for the first time. Hopefully, we will steer Stellenbosch further in the competition.”
The CAF Confederation Cup Group B encounter between Stellenbosch FC and Lunda Sul is scheduled to kick off at 6pm on Sunday and will be broadcast live on SABC Sport and SuperSport channel 209.