The Stellies silenced the Brazilians to set up a date with Jose Riveiro’s men
Orlando Pirates will face Stellenbosch in the MTN8 final after Steve Barker’s men eliminated PSL champions Mamelodi Sundowns in the semi-finals.
Stellenbosch continued from where they left in the first leg when Bradley Mojela’s second half goal earned them a 1-0 victory at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in the return match on Sunday, to go through with a 2-0 aggregate win.
Barker’s men had secured a 1-0 first leg victory on Wednesday, when goalkeeper Sage Stephens pulled off a number of top saves to maintain their lead, and they made sure their advantage counted in the second leg.
Stellenbosch took just two minutes to make their presence felt when Sihle Nduli took aim with a headed effort that was saved by Sundowns goalkeeper Jody February before Andre de Jong played a dangerous ball across the face of goal which Ibraheem Jabaar could not reach.
How did the Stellies down the Brazilians?
Andre de Jong then flashed a diving header just wide after being picked out by Devin Titus in the 29th minute.
The effort came just two minutes after Sundowns had been forced into an early change, Terrence Mashego going off injured with Aubrey Mobida replacing him.
Khuliso Mudau had Sundowns’ first opportunity in the 38th minute when his attempt on a half-volley went just wide, before he found himself in a shooting position in the 43rd minute, but his strike was blocked.
After a goalless first half, Stellenbosch broke the deadlock soon after restart, De Jong picked out Mojela, who fired home for 1-0 and 2-0 on aggregate, in favour of Barker’s men in the 49th minute.
Bad day at the office for Sundowns’ attackers
Ten minutes later, the Stellies thought they had doubled their advantage when Jayden Adams rose high to head home but his effort was ruled offside.
Teboho Mokoena had a first time shot from the edge of the box blocked as Sundowns went in search of a goal before a well-worked move saw new signing Kobamelo Kodisang’s header flash past the upright.
Sundowns’ final opportunity fell to Lucas Ribeiro Costa, the Brazilian rattling the post with a powerful curling strike but Stellenbosch held on to secure passage into the final.
Is Mngqithi the right man for Masandawana?
The loss extends Sundowns’ poor start to the season as they have now played three games, lost two and won one, all in the MTN8.
Their 1-0 win over Polokwane City in the first leg was not convincing and the latest display will raise questions over Sundown’s preparedness for the new season as well as the suitability of coach Manqoba Mngqithi, who replaced Rulani Mokwena.
It means the Brazilians are already out of the running for one trophy, before the season kicks off proper, and is not the preparations they would have wished ahead of their CAF Champions League match against Mbabane Swallows of eSwatini on September 13 and their PSL title defence, which starts with a home match against SuperSport United, on September 17.
