The match, held at Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar due to ongoing maintenance at Simba's usual venue - the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam - was decided by a solitary goal from Jean Ahoua, scored in stoppage time at the end of the first half.
Reflecting on the performance, Barker expressed belief in his squad's potential to turn the tie around on home soil.
"We were the stronger side and made a concerted effort to secure an away goal," he stated.
"While there are no guarantees in football, based on what I observed, Simba are certainly a team we can overcome. I am confident that we can reverse this result and secure a place in the final."
Stellenbosch, participating in their first CAF Confederation Cup campaign, were without first-choice goalkeeper Sage Stephens, who was ruled out after failing a pre-match fitness test.
His absence gave Oscarine Masuluke - a 2017 FIFA Puskás Award nominee - a rare opportunity to start. Masuluke delivered a commendable performance, making several crucial saves to keep the deficit to a single goal.
The decisive second leg is scheduled to take place at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Sunday at 15:00. With home advantage and potentially a full-strength squad, Stellenbosch will look to make history by reaching the final of the continental competition in their debut appearance.
