Stellenbosch FC secured a crucial advantage in the MTN8 semi-final, earning a 2-0 first-leg win over Sekhukhune United in a match played on a muddy Danie Craven Stadium on Saturday evening.
With goals from Devin Titus and Godswill Enyinnaya, the home side positioned themselves well to advance to the final.
Coming into the game, Stellenbosch were looking to turn their fortunes around after a loss and a draw in the Betway Premiership, while their opponents, Sekhukhune, were on a perfect run of three wins from three games, including a victory in the MTN8.
In response, Stellies coach Steve Barker made four changes to his starting XI, introducing Godswill Enyinnaya, Mthetheleli Mthiyane, Ibraheem Jabaar, and Ashley Cupido to replace Sanele Barns, Langelihle Phili, Chumani Butsaka, and Lesiba Nku.
Meanwhile, Sekhukhune’s Eric Tinkler opted to start Miguel Timm and Bradley Grobler, who came in for Thabang Monare and Chibuike Ohizu.
Five minutes into the game, the home side had to make an early change as Ashley Cupido was forced off with a knock and replaced by Lesiba Nku. The hosts started with clear intent, creating a lot of forward pressure in search of an early goal. But as the match progressed, Sekhukhune also began to find their rhythm, generating some exciting moments in attack.
Despite the game flowing from end to end, both teams were so cautious that clear-cut chances were few and far between.
The first real test came in the 15th minute when the Cape Winelands side’s keeper, Sage Stephens, was called into action to deny Vusimuzi Mncube’s strike from outside the box.
STELLENBOSCH OPENER CAME FROM DEFENDER ENYINNAYA
Stellenbosch broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute when Enyinnaya headed home a corner from Nku. Sekhukhune responded with a few attempts of their own, but they failed to capitalise on the opportunities they created in their search for an equaliser.
In the 32nd minute, Stellenbosch doubled their lead with a swift counter-attack that started from a Sekhukhune corner. Nku provided a clever outside-of-the-boot pass to Devin Titus, who found the back of the net.
Seeking more firepower, Tinkler responded in the second half with offensive-minded changes, sending on Shaune Mogaila and Chibuike Ohizu to replace Ngoanamello Rammala and Daniel Cardoso.
However, Sekhukhune struggled to contain Stellenbosch, who looked threatening whenever they crossed the halfway line, and in the 52nd minute, Devin Titus missed a clear chance to grab his second goal, sending the ball over the bar. Two minutes later, another glorious opportunity was wasted when Lesiba Nku hit the crossbar following a pass from Andre De Jong.
In the 70th minute, the Limpopo outfit made another change with Malekgene Mampuru coming on for Keletso Makgalwa. Meanwhile, Stellies took off Nku and Thato Khiba, introducing Langelihle Phili and Butsaka.
The home side remained solid at the back, denying Sekhukhune what would be an away goal advantage going into the return tie. The second and decisive leg will be hosted by Sekhukhune at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday, August 23, to determine who advances to the final.
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Source: https://farpost.co.za/2025/08/16/dominant-stellenbosch-edge-sekhukhune-in-mtn8-semi-final-first-leg/
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