Stellenbosch are through to the MTN8 semi-finals after beating TS Galaxy 3-1 in their quarter-final clash at the Danie Craven Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
It was a chilly day in the Cape Winelands, though fortunately, the rain had subsided by the time the game kicked off at 3pm.
With Galaxy’s FIFA registration ban still not resolved, Sead Ramovic’s team could not include any of their eight new signings. Stellenbosch’s new recruits, Bradley Mojela and Sanele Barns, were on the bench for Steve Barker, while Ibraheem Jabaar was also amongst the substitutes, after his return from a loan in Israel.
It was the home team with the early impetus, with chances for both Iqraam Rayners and Jayden Adams in the opening five minutes, but neither troubled Wensten Van Der Linde in the Galaxy goal.
Andre De Jong had a glorious chance in the 14th minute to give Stellies the lead, but Van Der Linde got down well to make the save. Two minutes later Tony Van Wyk had another good opportunity but fired just wide of the goal.
But it was Galaxy, somewhat against the run of play, who would strike first as Mike Sebelebele broke the deadlock with a well-struck effort from outside the area in the 18th minute.
But Stellenbosch were level in the 25th minute, when Jayden Adams raced into the box to get on the end of a ball from Andre De Jong and chipped over Van Der Linde to make it 1-1.
Half chances fell to both teams over the next ten minutes, though Van Der Linde had to pull off a top save to deny Devin Titus in the 40th minute.
However, from the resulting corner, Andre De Jong’s glancing header from Fawaaz Basadien’s cross gave Stellenbosch the lead.
At the break, it was Barker’s team with the advantage. In the second 45, and despite the poor pitch conditions, both sides continued to try and play attacking football.
And it paid off for the home team as Stellenbosch were 3-1 up in the 57th minute, after some good interplay, Basadien fired in from the left to increase the lead.
With a comfortable lead, Barker gave debuts to two his new signings, Sanele Barns former Galaxy forward Bradley Mojela.
Galaxy were on target from a free kick in the 78th minute, but Stephens comfortably saved Puso Dithejane’s effort. They went close again in the 85th minute, but Kyle Jurgens cleared off the line
Deano Van Rooyen, who has been at the centre of transfer speculation with Orlando Pirates making an offer, did not start for Stellenbosch but came off the bench in the final five minutes, with Jurgens switching from right back to his natural central midfield position.
With a minute to go of regulation time Macbeth Mahlangu was shown his marching orders after picking up a second yellow, and Galaxy would finish with ten men.
How they started:
Stellebosch XI: Stephens, Toure, Basadien, Mcaba, Jurgens, Titus, Adams, Nduli, De Jong, Rayners, Van Wyk
TS Galaxy XI: Van der Linde, Munyai, Mahlangu, Seema, Kabini, Mvelase, Khiba, Dithejane, Sebelebele, Radebe, Mahlangu
