Stellenbosch picked up a comfortable 2-0 win over AS Vita in the first leg of their second preliminary round CAF Confederations Cup qualifier at the DHL Stadium on Friday evening.
It was Stellenbosch, who were in control from the start, with an early opportunity as Devin Titus forced a good save from Soufiane Ouedraogo in the fourth minute.
And the home team would take the early lead, as Thabo Moloisane rose highest at a corner in the seventh minute and headed in to make it 1-0.
And it was 2-0 five minutes later, as Bradley Mojela showed a burst of pace down the right, before firing in an excellent shot that beat Ouedraogo.
It was a start that stunned the DRC giants, who were struggling to string passes together, and it was Steve Barker’s team who continued to threaten, with Titus in particular causing problems.
Just before the break Titus almost set up Mojela for another, but the goalkeeper saved at his feet, and at halftime, it remained 2-0, much to the annoyance of the DRC supporters who vented their frustrations at coach Abdeslam Ouaoddou as he entered the tunnel.
The second half saw Vita, who only arrived in South Africa in the early hours of Friday, trying to wrestle their way back into the game, but Stellenbosch’s defence stood firm.
Ibraheem Jabaar went close to adding Stellies’ third in the 65th minute, but after rounding the keeper, his attempt at goal was cleared off the line. Two minutes later, at the other end, Aboubacarr Diarra, fired over a long-range attempt.
Stellies goalkeeper Sage Stephens had very little to do in the game, but was called into action in the 72nd minute, but did well to make a good save at close range from Affane Djambae.
With no further score, Stellies take a 2-0 lead into the second leg, which will be in Kinshasa next weekend.
