Stellies host Simba S.C., who are coached by South African Fadlu Davids, in the second leg of their semi-final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Sunday.

The 43-year-old Davids says as much as they have a young team, Simba Sports Club are a big institution who are expected to go all the way in the competition.

South African clubs have a had good run in this seasons’ CAF interclub competitions.

Stellenbosch F.C. will be the third South African club to battle for a place in the final of CAF’s interclub competitions this season.

Pirates were unfortunate after Pyramids twice came from behind on Friday to beat them 3-2, while Sundowns booked their place in the CAF Champions League final after a 1-1 draw with Al Ahly in Cairo.

Stellies, who have quietly gone about their business in the CAF Confederation and exceeded expectations, will be eager to beat Simba S.C. and reach the final.

Stellenbosch F.C. coach Steve Barker says, “Obviously a bit of a precarious scoreline to be in, but you know it’s not long ago that Simba lost 2-nil away and won in penalties. So, we’re happy to be back home, to still be in the tie, and we have a strong belief and confidence that we can continue to exceed expectations. There’s no reason why we can’t make sure that we are in the final.”

Like Stellies, Simba S.C. have exceeded expectations. After Davids joined the club at the start of the season, he became the first coach to take the Tanzanian giants to a semi-final of a CAF interclub competition.

Simba S.C. coach Fadlu Davids says, “It’s a brand new team, and a new coaching staff we have exceeded expectations like I said, it’s a young team and a big club coming together, we are probably expected to go all the way.”

Davids believes matches of the magnitude of CAF’s interclub semi-finals are won by clubs that can do well in the second legs.

“Everybody expected Al Ahly to win, but Sundowns did, and also everybody expected Pirates to win after they scored two away goals. But it shows matches of this magnitude, there’s no big club, there’s no small club. It’s who can manage the expectations of a big match semi-final second leg. We have a big job in the second leg.”

The second leg between Stellies and Simba will kick off at three o’clock at the Moses Mabhida stadium

--SABC--