Stellenbosch’s Lee Langeveldt Eyes Continental Glory: We Hope to Reach The Group Stages, or Even Win

In an exclusive interview with Telecom Asia Sport, Stellenbosch FC shot-stopper Lee Langeveldt expressed his excitement about the team's journey in the CAF Confederation Cup thus far.

During the interview, Lee:

• Gave us his thoughts on the victory against Nsingizini Hotspurs;
• Provided insight into the game plan;
• Elaborated on the tactical substitutions;
• Touched on their highly anticipated clash with Mamelodi Sundowns;
• Spoke about the club’s ambition in continental football;
• Reflected on the demanding travel schedule;

Stellenbosch FC cruised to a 5-0 victory over Eswatini's Nsingizini Hotspurs in the second leg of their CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round tie. The emphatic win, combined with a 3-0 first-leg victory, means the club has secured its place in the Second Preliminary Round of the CAF Confederation Cup. The South African side will face a stern test against Congolese giants AS Vita in the next competition stage.

Congratulations on the result. What are your thoughts on the game?

It wasn’t an easy game. We knew if they scored, it would have been game on. But I think we controlled the game well at the end. Once again, we should have won even more, maybe, I think, but a good professional performance from the boys. Now, just to carry it onto Wednesday’s game.

Can you elaborate on the game plan going into this one?

The game plan was simple: We should not concede and try to score early, and I think we did. We scored two early goals, and I think the game was over.

Having established a comfortable lead, the coach made attacking substitutions in the second half. What was the thought behind that?

It was more about giving the other players some kind of rest going into the next game.  You need fresh legs for a semi-final and a team like Mamelodi Sundowns. It was, I think to give everyone a chance and it paid off in the end.

Does that victory (against Nsingizini Hotspurs) give you a boost ahead of that clash with Mamelodi Sundowns?

Yes, definitely. It gives us momentum, that winning momentum, and I think when you play a team like them, you need everything you can get. So yeah.

What’s your ambition for the CAF Confederations Cup?

To go as far as possible. I know we are going to Congo in the next game, so it’s not going to be easy away or even at home, but, like I said, as far as possible. Hopefully, group stages, maybe past that, even to win the thing. I know people don't always give us a chance of going too far in tournaments, but we’ve showed it over the years now so I’m sure we can go as far as possible.

Would you say Stellenbosch is used to traveling now because you played both of these fixtures in KZN, which is not its home ground?

Yeah, I just said that now in the dressing room. Moses Mabhida (Stadium) has been good to us. We won our first trophy here, and we haven’t lost here recently in the last three (or) four games, so hopefully, we can continue that.

Stellenbosch manager Steve Barker took advantage of the comfortable aggregate lead over Nsingizini Hotspurs to rotate his squad and give fringe players valuable playing time ahead of their highly anticipated clash with Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8. The first leg against Sundowns will take place on Wednesday, August 28th, at Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium in Pretoria. The return leg will be played four days later, on Sunday, September 1st, at the iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.