Stellies edge Otoho as Steve Barker praises impact subs and defensive resolve

Stellies went into the clash with limited information about the Congolese outfit, but found the breakthrough deep into stoppage time when substitute striker Ashley Cupido scored in the 93rd minute.

Barker says avoiding an early concession, something that has troubled them in several matches this season, required a more pragmatic approach from his players.

"Yeah, a win, obviously the best time to get a lead, you don't have to defend too long. So, yeah, it was nice to just get a win, as the game started obviously we didn't know our opposition that well,” Barker said. 

“We did an analysis and we had some of the games but it was important in that first 10, 15 minutes to see what they are about and they seem to be a decent team, technically quite good. 

“They had some decent players, they looked quite threatening at times so I thought the first half was all about just staying in the game. Too many games of late we've been conceding early goals which puts us on the backfoot. 

“So, we didn't really want to be behind in this first half especially so we were a little bit more pragmatic in our approach."

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Barker’s substitutions proved decisive, with Cupido, Sanele Barns and Thato Khiba coming on in the 65th minute before Genino Palace and Langelihle Phili were introduced in the 77th.

The coach says he anticipated that Otoho’s players would fade physically in the latter stages, and felt his fresh legs would capitalise on that.

"And I told the players that had started the game just to be solid for the first 15 minutes, 20 minutes and I had a feeling that opposition would start tiring, of which they did, they started cramping and then we had the ability to bring on people like Ashley Cupido, Thato Khiba, Sanele Barns, really good quality players off the bench,” the coach added. 

“Genino Palace, also Langelihle Phili and I had a feeling that we would be able to win it off the bench but as the game went on and on it could have gone either way with the last 15, 20 minutes. 

“One good moment, a good pass from Thato in behind for Ashley where he's probably the deadliest, running on to things and then we got the goal."

The victory lifts Stellenbosch to second place in their group, behind Sead Ramović’s CR Belouizdad, who beat Singida Black Stars 2–0.