Stellenbosch FC’s foray into continental football got off to a perfect start with a thumping 3-0 win over eSwatini side Nsingizini Hotspurs at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday afternoon.
Despite being the “away” team, Stellies made the short trip to KwaZulu-Natal for the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round first-leg, after the Kingdom of eSwatini was banned from hosting international matches with their stadiums deemed below standards by CAF.
In his 100th appearance for Stellies, vice-captain Sage Stephens pulled off an acrobatic save from a deflected free kick in the 32nd minute.
Steve Barker’s charges opened the scoring in the 35th minute through Andre De Jong who tapped home at the far post from Kyle Jurgens’ cross, for the club’s first-ever goal in continental football.
In the 42nd minute, Stellies doubled their advantage after Devin Titus capitalized on a big defensive mix-up, as the “visitors” took a 2-0 lead into the break.
Titus missed out on grabbing a brace in the 65th minute with his effort on target easily claimed by Hotspurs keeper Sibusiso Dlamini.
The floodgates then opened as Fawaaz Basadien converted from the penalty spot in the 71st minute, to all but seal a 3-0 victory for his side.
The win hands the Cape Winelands outfit a huge advantage heading into next week’s return leg at the same venue.
Stellies had to forgo home-ground advantage for the second leg after Danie Craven Stadium took a battering from the past few weeks’ heavy rains.
