Hunt feels Stellenbosch are more settled now

Stellenbosch head coach Gavin Hunt believes they are now better equipped for the CAF Confederation Cup clash with AS Otoho at the Stade Alphonse Massemba-Debat on 8 February.

Kick-off is at 3pm CAT (SA, GMT+2).

Current form:

Hunt has overseen just four matches since replacing Steve Barker at the helm on 30 December and is still searching for his first win in Africa's second-tier club competition.

The 61-year-old, who parted ways with newly-promoted Durban City on December 1, kicked off his tenure with a 1-0 victory over Sekhukhune United in the Betway Premiership on 20 January.

Hunt's side then dumped Kaizer Chiefs out of the Nedbank Cup at the first hurdle in midweek after running out 2-1 victors over the defending champions, but they lost their last two continental games against CR Belouizdad.

The Maroons suffered a 2-0 defeat to the Reds in Algiers on January 25 and were beaten 3-0 in the return leg at the Cape Town Stadium last weekend.

Stellies are now winless in their last three Group C outings since claiming a 2-0 win against AS Otoho on November 22, leaving them third on four points, two behind the Congolese club and five adrift of the Reds.

The Oyo outfit kept their quarterfinal hopes alive with a 2-1 success against Singida Black Stars on February 1 after going down 1-0 in the reverse fixture seven days earlier.

What was said:

Stellenbosch head coach Gavin Hunt

"It was good that we gave a few players a chance so we can get settled before the important games come up. There were some good opportunities. There has been a lot of movement - even before I arrived - so it's important to play people fit.

"The most important thing for us is the league, and it's important to get mileage in the players' legs. We are closer to where we want to be. I thought there was a good improvement from last Sunday to this Sunday."

Players to watch:

AS Otoho - Pomi Nzaou will be brimming with confidence after scoring a match-winning brace in his first start against Black Stars last time out. The 22-year-old winger was an unused substitute against Stellies back in November and he came off the bench in the 4-1 win over the Reds and the 1-0 loss to Singida before starring in the return leg on February 1.

Stellenbosch - Wonderboy Makhubu made his CAF Confederation Cup debut on February 1 after joining the Maroons from Magesi just three days earlier. The 29-year-old striker played the full 90 minutes against CR Belouizdad and he was instrumental in the Nedbank Cup triumph over Amakhosi three days later, with Hunt stating that he should have been named Man of the Match instead of Devin Titus.

Head-to-Head: (Previous CAFCC Matches)

Matches - 1

AS Otoho wins - 0

Stellenbosch wins - 1

Draws - 0