Steve Barker is heading back to face his old South African rivals, and he knows the Champions League group stage will be no walk in the park.

Simba SC’s South African coach has reacted to Wednesday’s CAF Champions League group stage draw in Cairo, which pitted his team against Orlando Pirates in Group C.

“I’m excited to be playing against Orlando Pirates. I’ve always had many battles against them back in South Africa. They’re also a really good team, having won the Premiership in South Africa last season, so a tough opponent,” Barker told Azam TV.

The Buccaneers are now South Africa’s only remaining representative in the competition after Mamelodi Sundowns were shockingly knocked out by Angola’s Wiliete.

Group C is stacked. Simba and Pirates are joined by Morocco’s RS Berkane and Cameroon’s Colombe Sportive, who are making their Champions League debut.

Barker knows what to expect from the Moroccans. “I’m very familiar with RS Berkane, as Simba is with the Confederation Cup, and when I was with Stellenbosch, we also played them.

“And then obviously whenever there’s a newcomer to the Champions League in Colombe, from Cameroon, they’ll also be a challenge,” he said.

“It’s going to be a very challenging group for us, but if you want to reach the far end of such tournaments, you have to get through the group stages regardless of the opposition.”

His target is clear. “We have to find a way to ensure that we qualify for the knockout stages. I’m very excited overall and really looking forward to it.”

The first round of group matches runs from 27 to 29 November.

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