Stellenbosch FC have dumped Mamelodi Sundowns out of the Nedbank Cup after a 2-1 win at the Athlone Stadium on Saturday evening.
Stellies joined Orlando Pirates (who edged Dondol Stars via penalties earlier in the day) in the semifinal draw thanks to a brace of goals from Iqraam Rayners.
The in-form forward capitalised on two defensive errors from the Brazilians to net his fifth and sixth goals of the 2022-23 edition of South Africa’s national cup.
?? ??????????????: Sundowns crash out of the #NedbankCup and lose for the first time under Rulani Mokwena. pic.twitter.com/YRlILRt0EY
— SuperSport Football ?? (@SSFootball) April 15, 2023
Stellenbosch started confidently and created the first notable chance in the seventh minute, with Junior Mendieta teeing up Iqraam Rayners to fire a low shot on target which was well saved by Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango.
The visitors gradually found their feet and were close to claiming the lead on 25 minutes when Neo Maema cut inside from the right and curled a left-footed effort just wide of the mark.
Sundowns had taken control of the game by this point, though Stellies still offered a potent threat on the counter, with Devon Titus flashing an effort across the face of goal, before Rayners fired high and wide.
However, the Brazilians dialled up the pressure and claimed the lead in somewhat fortuitous circumstances in the 39th minute: Aubrey Modiba’s powerful toe-poke shot from just inside the penalty area rebounded off the underside of the crossbar, hit the legs of the diving goalkeeper Lee Langeveldt and the ball trickled into the back of the net.
FAMOUS WIN
A very unfortunate way to concede for Stellenbosch but Aubrey Modiba hit that with some serious power ??
— SuperSport Football ?? (@SSFootball) April 15, 2023
?? Stream #NedbankCup live: https://t.co/Tg69y0EeUL pic.twitter.com/U8tTwsjDLK
Sundowns held a 1-0 lead at the break, but the hosts hit back just three minutes into the second half: a poor back-pass from Teboho Mokoena allowed Rayners to intercept, round Onyango and tap home into an unguarded net for 1-1.
???????? ????!
— SuperSport Football ?? (@SSFootball) April 15, 2023
Stellenbosch find an equaliser through Iqraam Rayners, who capitalises on a bad back pass.#NedbankCup pic.twitter.com/gmlh3WL4Rr
And it was 2-1 in favour of Stellies just eight minutes later, as Rayners capitalised on another poor pass from a defender in yellow, powered forward and clipped a shot past Onyango to put the Cape side into the lead for the first time.
Could this be Rulani Mokwena first loss as Sundowns’ coach? ??#NedbankCup pic.twitter.com/jXBpgeqDli
— SuperSport Football ?? (@SSFootball) April 15, 2023
‘Downs almost levelled the game on 64 minutes via a powerful run from Khuliso Mudau, whose low shot was initially fumbled by Langeveldt, but the ‘keeper did well to make a recovery save at the feet of Gaston Sirino.
The teams traded chances in the next 10 minutes, with Shalulile shooting straight at Langeveldt, before Mendieta fired wildly off target from a promising counter.
Sundowns then began to dominate possession, with Stellenbosch sitting deeper in defence and looking to defend their lead – while still hoping to score a third goal on the break.
The league champions pushed and probed, but were unable to force their way back into the game in the dying minutes, with Stellenbosch holding out for a famous victory.
The teams will next be in DStv Premiership action, with Sundowns hosting Richards Bay on Tuesday 18 April, while Stellenbosch will welcome Swallows FC on Saturday 22 April.
Stellenbosch FC (0) 2 (Rayners 48’ 57’)
Mamelodi Sundowns (1) 1 (Langeveldt og 39’)
Stellenbosch: Langeveldt, Jurgens, Makhanya, Sibiya, Basadien, Mthethwa, Jabaar, Adams, Titus (Nduli 62’), Mendieta (Van Wyk 85’), Rayners
Sundowns: Onyango, Mudau (Morena 87’), Kekana, Mvala, Modiba, Allende (Boutouil 71’), Mokoena, Maema (Nasir 71’), Zwane (Mabena 87’), Sirino (Mailula 71’), Shalulile