Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker considers the upcoming match against Mamelodi Sundowns an exhilarating challenge as they strive to enhance their performance levels prior to the Betway Premiership clash at DHL Stadium on Wednesday (19:30).

The Cape Winelands club will shift their focus back to the domestic league when they host Sundowns in Cape Town, following a successful match in Angola where they triumphed 1-0 against Lunda Sol in the CAF Confederations Cup.

Both teams head into this encounter filled with confidence, as Sundowns celebrates their initial Champions League victory at home, thanks to a late strike from Iqraam Rayners that knocked Raja Casablanca out on Sunday.

The Stellies coach emphasized the advantage of entering such an essential match following a significant win, particularly one characterized by a strong team effort.

“Coming off a victory always benefits us; it elevates confidence and belief. Considering our performance and the chances we created, we intend to carry that enthusiasm into the game against Sundowns. They also enjoyed a solid win over the weekend,” Barker commented.

This forthcoming match is set to be captivating, particularly given the rivalry that has developed between the two teams. Their last six meetings across all competitions have been closely fought, with each team clinching three victories.

While Barker downplayed the unique significance of this high-stakes fixture, he acknowledged the aspects that draw attention to the match.

“Each game in the Premiership holds importance; however, taking on a top-tier team like Sundowns presents a significant challenge for our club. We aim to contend for the league title, making such matches monumental for us,” he remarked.

As they prepare for Wednesday’s encounter, the Western Cape side has recorded wins in their last two face-offs with The Brazilians, achieving back-to-back 1-0 victories in the two-legged MTN8 semifinal.

However, Barker indicated that Wednesday’s match will bring a different set of challenges, elaborating on the factors that contribute to this viewpoint.

“I think their situation was different earlier in the season due to some coaching changes. We will be facing them now under new management.”

He added, “A crucial player like Rayners was missing during the MTN, but now he’s in great goal-scoring form, and I believe they have fortified their squad since then. We have also improved since those encounters, and past results are not indicative; what truly matters is the upcoming match.”

Despite encountering a few obstacles along the way, Stellies remain in the title race, as a victory over Sundowns would elevate them to 19 points, just two behind leaders Sundowns and Orlando Pirates.