Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker was pleased to make a winning start to the CAF Confederation Cup after his side claimed a hard-fought win over AS Otohô on Sunday.

Playing at a home-away-from-home at New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, Stellenbosch opened their CAF Confederation Cup Group C campaign with a 1-0 win over Congolese side AS Otohô, courtesy of a 93rd-minute winner from substitute striker Ashley Cupido.

“A win is a win, and [scoring at the death] is the best time to get a lead, so it was just nice to get the win,” Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker said after the match.

“Before the game started, we didn’t know our opposition that well. We did our analysis on them and had some of their games, but it was important in the first 10-15 minutes to see what they are about, and they seemed to be a decent team.

Read | Stellies snatch late winner over AS Otoho in CAF Group C opener

“They’re technically quite good, have decent players, and looked quite threatening at times, so the first half was just about staying in the game because in too many games of late we’ve been conceding early goals, which puts us on the back foot.

“We didn’t want to fall behind so we were a little bit more pragmatic in our approach, unlike we would normally be when we play at home, but it’s important for us to build those building blocks. It’s not only in this competition, but in other competitions as well, that we need to be doing well and doing better.

“We were solid defensively in the first half, had good shape and organisation. The only chance they really created was the free-kick before half-time, while we had one or two half-chances.

“In the second half, we had a lot of strength off the bench, and I told the starters to be solid for the first 15-20 because I had a feeling the opposition would start tiring.

“They did, they started cramping, and we had the ability to bring on people like Ashley Cupido, Thato Khiba, Sanele Barns, Genino Palace, and Langelihle Phili, who are real quality players, off the bench.

“I had the feeling we’d be able to win it off the bench but as the game went on and on, it could have gone either way. But, one good moment, a good pass in behind by Thato for Ashley, where he is at his deadliest running onto things, and we got the goal.

“It was a nice win for us and a good start to the campaign. It’s important to win your home games, and we’ve done that, so we look forward to next Sunday away in Zanzibar against Singida Black Stars. We’ve got ourselves off to a good start, so now we have to back it up with more points in the away game.”