In the Carling Cup final match played at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday, the Carling Black Label All-Stars team, led by Mfundo Vilakazi of Kaizer Chiefs and Ashley du Preez, defeated Stellenbosch FC 2-1 in a thriller of a game.
𝐋𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧 🥳
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) January 6, 2024
The Carling All-Star team lift the trophy 🔥#CarlingCup pic.twitter.com/oTTr662cMa
The Carling Black Label Knockout champions Stellenbosch, who to their credit saw several of their goal-scoring opportunities go awry, were no match for the All-Stars, a star-studded team selected by the fans.
With players from the Orlando Pirates DStv Diski Challenge (DDC) team, namely Vilakazi and Jabulani Mokone on the All Stars team, it was an exciting event in Polokwane.
The Carling All-Stars, a team voted for by YOU, the Champion fans defeat Stellies to lift the #CarlingCup 🏆
— Carling Black Label ᅠᅠᅠᅠ (@blacklabelsa) January 6, 2024
QT using #CarlingCup 🍺 to congratulate them 🙌🏾 pic.twitter.com/bs995sogtO
With Antonio van Wyk coming close to scoring, Stellenbosch got off to a scorching start in the game, but Itumeleng Khune made a world-class save.
Vilakazi's incredible free kick put the All-Stars ahead just two minutes later and Ashley du Preez's penalty kick after being brought down inside the box made it 2-0.
Prior to the 30-minute mark, Stellenbosch believed they had given Thabo Moloisane a goal back when Khune lost complete possession of the ball, but the referee signalled a foul.
More changes were made as the half approached, with Khune producing yet another outstanding save to stop Devin Titus from scoring with a header.
Khune, who had been playing fantastically, made a huge error in the second half when attempting to clear the ball away, nearly costing the team the match.
Iqraam Rayner was unable to take advantage as Khune's fingers tipped his shot before it struck the upright.
Stellies continued to try to score, but they suffered a serious setback in the 63rd minute when Athenkosoi Mcaba was given a straight card for a dangerous foul on Jabulani Mokone, a player for the Orlando Pirates DStv Diski Challenge.
Stellies gave it their all in the final few minutes of play in an attempt to at least score a goal.
However, All-Stars held strong in the back as Vilakazi missed a chance to make it 3-0.
Mervin Boji gave Stellenbosch a late goal in the closing minutes of the game, but it was insufficient as the All-Stars emerged victorious.
Your Man of the Match is: Itumeleng Khune of the Carling All-Stars.
— Carling Black Label ᅠᅠᅠᅠ (@blacklabelsa) January 6, 2024
He walks away with R100K in prize money for his 🔥 performance in today's #CarlingCup Final 🏆 ⚽️
Drop a 🍺 using #CarlingCup to celebrate with him. pic.twitter.com/UKpGKxBi8B