Former Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker is relishing the prospect of facing Orlando Pirates in the CAF Champions League group stages, but knows his Simba SC side must navigate a difficult group to advance.

Barker, who took charge of the Tanzanian giants after establishing himself in South African football, will come up against familiar opposition when Simba face the Buccaneers in a group that also includes Moroccan heavyweights RS Berkane and Cameroonian side Colombe Sportive.

Speaking to Azam TV, Barker acknowledged the quality of the opposition while highlighting his excitement at renewing acquaintances with Pirates.

“Naturally, I’m excited to be playing against Orlando Pirates. I’ve always had many battles against them back in South Africa,” Barker said.

“They are a really good team, having won the Premiership last season, so they are a tough opponent. And whenever there’s a newcomer like Colombe from Cameroon, that will also present a unique challenge.”

Barker is also familiar with Berkane, having encountered the Moroccan club during his time at Stellenbosch and through Simba’s previous participation in the CAF Confederation Cup.

“I’m very familiar with RS Berkane, as Simba is from the [CAF] Confederation Cup, and when I was with Stellenbosch, we also played them. They’re a big team from Morocco,” he said.

The reunion with Pirates carries additional significance given the clubs’ previous meeting in the 2021/22 CAF Confederation Cup quarter-finals.

The South African side progressed after a tense two-legged encounter ended 1-1 on aggregate, with Pirates eventually prevailing on penalties.

That history adds another layer to a contest between two clubs with ambitions of making a deep run in continental competition.

Pirates enter the group stages after winning the 2025/26 Betway Premiership title, while Simba are no strangers to the Champions League, having reached the group phase in four of their previous five campaigns.

Despite the calibre of the opposition, Barker insists his immediate priority is securing qualification for the knockout rounds rather than becoming distracted by the reputations of the teams in the group.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

For Pirates, the campaign represents an opportunity to reaffirm their standing among Africa’s elite after establishing themselves as South Africa’s leading representatives in the competition.

The Buccaneers are the country’s sole representatives in this season’s CAF Champions League group stages following Mamelodi Sundowns’ elimination in the preliminary rounds.

With Barker eager to test himself against familiar South African opposition, the meeting between Simba and Pirates promises to be one of the group’s standout fixtures as both clubs pursue a place in the quarter-finals.