Stellenbosch FC bowed out of the CAF Confederation Cup with their heads held high following a 1-0 aggregate loss from Fadlu Davids’ Simba SC of Tanzania.
Stellies were looking to overturn a 1-0 first leg loss during the return match at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday but could not find the victory that they needed to secure their ticket.
Simba had a chance to score first and extend their lead when Kibu Denis went down in the 11th minute penalty but VAR overturned the decision.
VAR denied Stellies an equaliser
It was until the 40th minute when Andre de Jong got Stellies’ first chance through a glancing header that went over the bar.
Stellenbosch thought they were going to get the goal they needed when the referee awarded them a penalty 10 minutes after the break but VAR overturned the decision.
In the 73rd minute, Elie Mpanzu forced a fingertip save from Oscarine Masuluke but two minutes later, the home side thought they had equalised.
Historic run both Stellies & Simba
Substitute Genino Palace scored for Stellenbosch what they thought was an equaliser but after another VAR check, the goal was chopped over an offside on De Jong.
That is how it ended for Stellenbosch, who had made a historic run to the semi-final, and they will exit the competition with pride after eliminating holders Zamalek 1-0 on aggregate in the quarter-final before the slim loss to Davids’ team.
It is also a historic moment for Simba who made it to the final for the first time in their history, and will face either Constantine and RS Berkane with the Moroccan side having won 4-0 in the first leg.
