Oscarine Masuluke was in goal for Stellenbosch FC in the first-leg CAF Confederations Cup semifinal in Zanzibar. Picture: BackpagePix
Image: BackpagePix
Stellenbosch FC goalkeeper Oscarine Masuluke believes the second-leg CAF Confederation Cup semifinal against Simba FC on Sunday will be a clash of the “Lions”.
The two sides went head-to-head in the first-leg in Zanzibar last weekend with Stellies going down 1-0.
The Tanzanian side now head to Durban with a crucial advantage, but Masuluke feels Stellies will be highly motivated to reach a first-ever continental final.
“The game was good, but unfortunately, we lost. But we still have a chance when they come to our home,” Masuluke said.
Stellenbosch won’t unfortunately play in the Western Cape due to the Danie Craven Stadium not meeting CAF’s eligibility requirements, while the DHL Stadium in Cape Town Stadium is also unavailable due to the conflicting rugby fixture between the Stormers and Benetton on Saturday.
Steve Barker’s team are comfortable with playing at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium though. The former 2010 Fifa World Cup venue has become Stellies’ “second home” this season as they have faced both Nsingizini Hotspurs and RS Berkane in previous stages of the Confed Cup.
The Maroons beat Hotspurs 3-0 before going down 3-1 to Moroccan outfit RS Berkane.
Masuluke is looking forward to seeing who will be crowned King of the Jungle at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
‘Both teams attacked each other, so for me, there was no best team because it was Lion against Lion,” he said.
“It will be a Lion against a Lion, and the other Lion is coming to our home to get another Lion there waiting for them. Let’s wait for Sunday, you guys will see.”
Coach Barker will have a decision to make ahead of the crucial second leg after Masuluke played ahead of club captain Sage Stephens at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium.
Stephens was coming back from an injury, but Barker deemed that it was too much of a risk with the skipper named on the bench in case of an emergency.
With a further week rest, Barker and the medical team will assess whether Stephens will be fit enough to take his place in goal at the expense of Masuluke in Durban.
