Sunday | April 15, 2023

Stellenbosch (Stellies) Football Club (FC) booted Mamelodi Sundowns FC out of the Nedbank Cup at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town last night.

The exhilarating quarter final draw ended 2-1 in favour of the host after coming from a goal down. Sundowns led through Teboho Mokoena’s thunder strike (29′) that smashed the crossbar and the ball bounced off the Stellies goalkeeper Lee Langeveldt’s leg before it rolled into the gapping net.

Stellenbosch turned the game on its head in the second half with an equalizer from Iqraam Rayners in the 48th minute. To crystallise his man-of-the-match brace, Rayners scored a winner nine (9) minutes later. 

Sundowns are holders of the 2022 edition and failed to defend their honours in the quarter-finals notwithstanding their breakneck resources that have attracted a galaxy of stars.

Matching into the semifinals brimming with confidence, Stellies joined Orlando Pirates FC who eliminated 3rd-division team Dondol Stars FC in an earlier fixture.

Sunday April 15. Nedbank Quarter-Final Fixtures:

Chippa United FC vs Sekhukhune United FC at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (Port Elizabeth) – 15h00 

Royal AM vs Kaizer Chiefs FC at Chatsworth Stadium (Chatsworth) – 18h00