Steve Barker's Stellenbosch returns from Morocco after a 5-0 mauling at the hands of RS Berkane. | BackpagePix
It might sound like RS Berkane delivered an emphatic statement of intent in their final CAF Confederation Cup Group match by crushing South Africa's Stellenbosch 5-0 in Eastern Morocco on Sunday.
The truth is that Stellenbosch could hardly be ready to play a match after two solid days of travelling on Thursday morning from Cape Town to Morocco on three flights and a 10-hour bus drive from Casablanca to Berkane. The team arrived in Berkane in the wee hours of Saturday morning ahead of Sunday's match.
The outcome did not have a bearing on the Confederation Cup fortunes of the two teams because they had already qualified for the quarter-finals. Consequently, Stellenbosch fielded a weakened team because they have a Premiership match against ever-improving AmaZulu in Durban on Thursday.
Travelling it seems, remains a hazardous occupation for Stellenbosch who return to Cape Town at midday today and then fly out to Durban tomorrow for Thursday's match.
Steve Barker, Stellenbosch's coach, was philosophical about the outcome when facing the media at the post-match presser as he described the team's experience as a learning curve. At the start of his address, Barker thanked the host club for their hospitality, something unheard of in CAF's continental circles.
"I wanted to thank Berkane for the way they hosted us and looked after us. (Sunday's) result, a 5-0 loss, is not easy to accept. I told the team that these types of games are learning curves.
"As you all know, it's our first time playing in North Africa and against a quality team. Berkane was always going to be difficult for us, but one has to learn from these situations. We have to grow from these situations and improve from these situations."
The Moroccan side's ruthless display at the jam-packed Municipal Stadium impressed Stellenbosch CEO Rob Benadie.
"This Berkane club and team is the real deal," said Benadie. "This is the best team we've played against since we were formed.
"This team is technically excellent with great decision-making ability. At times, it felt like a European opponent. We didn't play our strongest team, but they are not at the top of their domestic league for nothing.
"I also now know after seeing some of the country's football facilities, structures and amenities, that it was no fluke that Morocco reached the 2022 WC semi-final."
Stellenbosch who are R10.5 million richer for reaching the CAF Confed Cup quarters return to action on Thursday at the King Zwelithini Stadium against AmaZulu.
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