Stellenbosch FC reached the MTN8 final for the first time after knocking out the strong Mamelodi Sundowns in the semi-finals on Sunday.
Stellies won the second-leg semi-final 1-0 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, their temporary home, after Bradley Mojela scored the only goal of the game early in the second half. After Fawaaz Basadien scored from the penalty spot in the first leg in Pretoria on Wednesday, they were 2-0 winners overall.
Stellenbosch kini mempunyai janji temu dengan Orlando Pirates, yang telah mengalahkan Cape Town City 3-1 secara keseluruhan selepas menang 2-0 dalam perlawanan kedua mereka pada Saturday afternoon di Orlando Stadium.
Andre de Jong, pemenang man-of-the-match, picked out Mojela with a beautiful pass before the Stellies’ No 10 doubled their overall advantage.
In the game, Sundowns had chances, but they were once again wasteful in front of goal. Additionally, it appeared that lady luck left them on the same day they hit the woodwork twice in Durban.
Namun, Stellies perlu dihargai. Over the past few years, they have been among the most consistent teams in South Africa’s elite, and now they have the opportunity to win some silverware against the Pirates.
Selain itu, bagi coach Steve Barker, ia adalah suatu kemenangan yang menyenangkan selepas Manqoba Mngqithi, lawan Sundowns, memberitahu Stellenbosch FC bahawa mereka perlu menurunkan expectations setelah menduduki tempat ketiga dan beberapa cup semi-finals pada tahun lalu.
Stellies lost Iqraam Rayners, their main striker, to the high-spending Sundowns, but still won the semi-finals.
