Stellies hope to complete the job at home and sela their place in the final for the first time in their history.
Mamelodi Sundowns will be making a trip to Durban on Sunday where they are scheduled to face Stellenbosch in the second leg of the MTN8 semi-final to be staged at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
The first leg was played at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium on Wednesday where Fawaaz Basadien scored the lone goal from the penalty spot to hand Stellies a vital 1-0 away win.
It will be a tough game for Masandawana who are aiming to make it back to the last hurdle for the second edition in as many seasons. Coach Manqoba Mngqithi is looking for his second win as Sundowns coach after taking over from Rhulani Mokwena.
The overall winner will be playing defending champions Orlando Pirates who defeated Cape Town City 3-1 in aggregate to advance.
Head-to-head
In the 2023/24 season, the two teams met three times across all competitions. The Brazilians started with a 3-1 Premier Soccer League win before claiming a controversial 2-1 victory in the Nedbank Cup semi-final. The then Mokwena-led side completed a hat trick of wins with a 1-0 league triumph.
The last five meetings, across all competitions, have ended with three Masandawana wins and two losses.
Recent Form
Stellies have so far played four games both domestically and internationally while Sundowns have played just two.
The Steve Barker-led team started their campaign with a 3-1 MTN8 Cup quarter-final win over TS Galaxy. They then defeated Nsingizini Hotspur 8-0 in aggregate in the first preliminary round of the Caf Confederation Cup. Their most recent game was on Wednesday in the first leg of the MTN8 semi-final.
Downs started their domestic season with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Polokwane City in the quarter-final of the aforementioned competition, before losing by the same margin against Stellies a couple of days ago in the last four hurdle.
What did they say?
Stellenbosch coach Barker stated they will not be defending the slim lead at home, “It's going to be key for us in the second leg, the chances we hopefully can create and get, we have to take because, if we don't, it's just not going to be possible to defend for 90 minutes,” he said ahead of the match.
“So we're going to have to be brave and continue to play, and take the game to them whenever it is possible, but I agree – in one or two situations we should have been a bit more clinical and may have come away with an even bigger league.
“But I'll take [the solitary goal] and be humble enough to accept an away win [was] a massive result for us, but a lot of work is still to be done.”
The Brazilians' coach Mngqithi has admitted he will have to change the strategy since his team must get the needed results to advance.
“The strategy will have to be different and it's a game where one goal is not enough. It's a game where I believe we will be completely a different team. Sometimes we need results like this in football if you still have a second chance.
“When you have been doing well in all the matches, the friendlies, and everything that you have played, sometimes it creates an impression that you have an entitlement to the results.”
Probable lineup
Stellenbosch XI: Stephens, Basadien, Moloisane, Mcaba, De Jong, Nduli, Jabaar, Adams, Titus, Mojela, Jurgens
Sundowns XI: Onyango, Kekana, Lebusa, Mudau, Mashego, Zwane, Allende, Mokoena, Costa, Matthews, Sales
Where to watch
The game will be streamed live on SuperSport Premier Soccer League channel 202 and SABC Sport.
