Stellenbosch held a slender advantage over Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN 8 semifinals after securing a narrow 1-0 win in the first leg at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium on Wednesday.
Fawaaz Basadien's 62nd-minute penalty settled the contest in Pretoria as Steve Barker's side took a step closer to their second-ever final appearance, having won the Carling Knockout last season.
Stellies clinch a win after a fire second half on The Brazilians home turf!🔥
— MTN8 Wafa Wafa! (@MTN8) August 28, 2024
Bring on the excitement for the 2nd leg! 🤩#MTN8 #WafaWafa pic.twitter.com/YEpaH43159
The Maroons were brimming with confidence after crushing Nsingizini Hotspurs 8-0 on aggregate in the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary first round and they created the first real chance of the night when Devin Titus sent an overhead-kick straight at Jody February on 10 minutes.
The hosts then threatened through Terrence Mashego eight minutes later, but his effort from long range sailed over the crossbar. Sage Stephens would finally be tested on 37 minutes as he pulled off a fine save to deny Peter Shalulile, who had been played in by Lucas Ribeiro and Grant Kekana saw his header clip the top of the woodwork moments later.
It remained goalless at the break, although the Cape Winelands outfit were presented with a golden opportunity to break the deadlock early in the second half when Titus was brought down inside the penalty area. Basadien accepted the gift as he slotted home from 12 yards out to give Stellies a crucial away goal.
Away goal secured ✅
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) August 28, 2024
Kekana's foul costs Sundowns as Basadien puts Stellenbosch in front 😤🔥
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Bafana ba Style pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages and the visiting defence desperately cleared the ball away following a goalmouth scramble after the 75-minute mark before Stephens came to the rescue with a brave save at point-blank range to keep out Arthur Sales on 79 minutes.
Stephens stood firm once more to prevent Kutlwano Letlhaku from scoring on 89 minutes after the substitute had been picked out inside the box by Sales and Teboho Mokoena almost snatched a late leveller with a trademark shot from range that rattled the frame of the goal in stoppage time.
Mamelodi Sundowns (0) 0
Stellenbosch (0) 1 (Basadien 62' PEN)
Mamelodi Sundowns: J. February, G. Kekana, T. Mokoena, M. Lebusa, K. Mudau, A. Modiba (T. Zwane 73'), M. Allende, T. Mashego, L. Ribeiro, P. Shalulile (K. Letlhaku 73'), T. Matthews (A. Sales 57').
Stellenbosch: S. Stephens, K. Jurgens, T. Moloisane, A. Mcaba, F. Basadien, S. Nduli, J. Adams (I. Toure 86'), D. Titus, A. de Jong (S. Barns 76'), I. Jabaar (G. Palace 76'), L. Mojela.