Stellenbosch suffered a second consecutive CAF Confederation Cup group stage defeat as they lost 3-1 to RS Berkane at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Stellies had to play in Durban due to the unavailability of the DHL Stadium, the only stadium in the Western Cape approved by CAF. The Rugby Sevens tournament was being played in Cape Town, and while spectators were packing in in Cape Town, Mabhida was virtually empty.
Steve Barker’s team were hoping to pick up their first points in the group stages, after suffering a 2-0 defeat in their opening game away against Stade Malien Bamako, but they did not get off to the best start against the current Botola Pro League leaders, who after 12 rounds, are 7 points clear.
The Moroccans took the lead as early the fifth minute, as Youssef Zghoudi headed them in front. Their lead was doubled in the 15th minute, Ayoub Khairi’s set piece bounced past everyone in the box to go into the goal.
Stellenbosch’s first clearcut attempt came on the half-hour mark, but Andre De Jong’s shot was deflected onto the post.
Sage Stephens made a good save to keep the score at two, denying Paul Bassene in the 34th minute, while a minute later Devin Titus went wide at the other end. Berkane went close again just before the break, but at half-time, it remained 2-0.
Barker’s team started the second half positively but were finding Berkane hard to break down. Titus’ overhead kick in the 55th minute was comfortably dealt with by Monir El Kajoui.
Berkane though managed the remainder of the game well, and it was 3-0 in the 85th minute, when Reda Hajji fired in a stunning long-distance shot.
There was a late flurry in the dying minutes and substitute Chumani Butsaka scored a deflected consolation goal, Stellies’ first goal in the group stages. In stoppage time they had a strong penalty call and Titus hit the woodwork, but it was Berkane with a comfortable win when the full time whistle blew.
They will now travel to Angola next week to play Desportivo Lunda-Sul.
