Stellies & Sundowns set up mouthwatering Cup tie

by Staff Reporter

Sunday Sep 01, 2024. 10:20

As one of the most keenly anticipated fixtures in South African football this week, Mamelodi Sundowns will be hoping to overturn Stellenbosch FC’s 1-0 advantage in their MTN8 semi-final second-leg clash at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Kick-off is at 3:00pm CAT

Stellies have been one of the most active sides in South African football in recent weeks, having competed in both the CAF Confederations Cup and MTN8 tournaments during the month of August.

In the first meeting between the two sides in this year’s instalment of the MTN8 semi-finals, Fawaaz Basadien’s 62nd minute penalty separated the two sides at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Prior to Stellies’ win against Sundowns, the Cape Winelands side bagged compressive 3-0 and 5-0 victories against Nsingizini Hotspurs (Home and away) in the CAF Confederations Cup.

The Brazilians on the other hand, have been less active than their PSL counterparts during the early stages of the 2024/25 campaign.

Sundowns commenced their local football schedule with a slender 1-0 win against Polokwane City in the MTN8 Quarter-finals on the 11th of August, as Thabang Matuludi’s 102nd minute own-goal gifted the Chloorkop side a ticket to the semi-finals of the showpiece.

Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker expressed that they’re only at the half-time mark of the tie and warned his team of complacency against the African powerhouse.

“To go to the home leg, away from home, is a big advantage for us. We are very, very mindful that it’s only half-time, and we are up against a very good team,” Barker mentioned.

“Our tactical awareness and discipline were spot-on. I knew that we were going to suffer during periods of the game. The players knew it, and I knew it.

“But that period of suffering united us as a team and showed our character. The job is not done, whatsoever.”

Downs coach Manqoba Mngqithi feels that his side are getting stronger and that the Brazilians are aiming to win more silverware this season.

“I do see what we are trying to achieve. I do see the team getting stronger as we progress and I do see the team achieving more than we achieved last season,” Mngqithi said.

“I just felt that we did not want to grab control of the game and we didn’t capitalise on the challenges they had in the wide channels. I think Terrence was open in the beginning of the first half but we were not rotating the ball enough to get into those areas. When we did get into those areas, we always looked potent and I’m very optimistic that we are on the right track.”

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Previous Cup meetings

2020/21 Nedbank Cup, L32 Sundowns 3-2* Stellenbosch

2022/23 Nedbank Cup, QF Stellenbosch 2-1 Sundowns

2023/24 Nedbank Cup, SF Stellenbosch 1-2 Sundowns

2024/25 MTN8, SF, first leg Sundowns 0-1 Stellenbosch

*After extra time