Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker says his side are confident heading into Sunday’s CAF Confederation Cup second-leg against 15 de Agosto de Akonibe.

The Maroons will look to continue their winning run after their thrilling 4-3 victory over Golden Arrows at Athlone Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Stellies and 15 de Agosto de Akonibe come into this match after they played out to a goalless draw in the first leg.

The two sides will battle to secure their place in the competition’s Group Stages when they square off at Athlone Stadium on Sunday.

“We’re confident going into the game on Sunday,” Barker told his club’s official website. “We want to be competing on the continent at the highest level, so it’s important for us to get ourselves past our opposition and into the Group Stage.

“No game is easy, and we encountered [during the first leg] that they’re a difficult opponent. They’re very direct and possess a lot of physicality and aerial ability.

“We have to be aware of that, but at the same time, we’re playing at home, so we have to take the game to them and make sure we ask many questions, create chances, get our goals, and hopefully progress to the next round.

“It definitely helps us to be back at Athlone. It wasn’t easy playing in Equatorial Guinea, after a lot of travel in the air and on the bus, and the stadium, the pitch, and the weather were all challenging.

“We had to overcome a lot, and I felt we did well to get a draw from that game. At home, those factors are out of the way, so we have to be really sharp and fresh, and play with the energy and intensity that we need.”