Mfundo Vilakazi and Ashley du Preez found the net as the Carling All Stars beat Stellenbosch FC 2-1 to secure the Carling Cup at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
In what appeared to be a title in form Stellenbosch were favourites to secure, and complacency seemingly crept in for the youthful squad.
In the first minute Antonio van Wyk glided through the All Stars defence, in a line-up with five DStv Diski Challenge players – but what followed was not what many expected.
Kaizer Chiefs teenager Vilakazi found the net from a free-kick inside the fourth minute which Stellies keeper Sage Stephens fumbled into the net.
Ten minutes later Du Preez had his moment as his solo run ended in him being fouled inside the area, which he then stepped up to convert the spot kick.
Jose Riveiro showed the tactical nouse thereafter to control the game’s critical moments, sitting back when needed and pushing bodies forward as they held the lead, deservedly into the break.
Captain Itumeleng Khune was one of the standout performers with several key saves over the encounter that became a much better spectacle in the second half as the heavy downpour of rain subsided in the scorching heat of Polokwane.
It was end to end action until the hour mark when Athenkosi Mcaba inexplicably had a rush of blood with a dangerous sliding tackle on teenager Jabulani Mokone which looked to have ended the match as a contest.
Stellies scored a consolation goal in the 93rd minute via Mervin Boji but it was a little too late.
The All Stars managed to see the game out for Riveiro’s fourth trophy since his arrival in South Africa while the squad will share the R2-million prize money, while Itumeleng Khune walked away with the Man of the Match award.
