Stellenbosch FC have clinched the first Carling Knockout title after defeating TS Galaxy via the penalty shoot-out at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
The Maroons had Sage Stephens back from suspension while Jayden Adams was also restored to the line-up, as the Rockets kept the same eleven that edged AmaZulu in the semi-finals.
Stellies looked to throw the first punch when a smart one-two around the area saw Fawaaz Basadien cutback for Iqraam Rayners to tap in only for goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari to produce a good point-blank save.
The Rockets took a while to get going but managed to get a look in when Lehlohonolo Mojela sent a close-range free-kick over the top.
Mojela made good three minutes to halftime after a clearance from Genino Palace allowed him to drop a shoulder following a deft touch and fired in off Stephens’s glove.
Stellies went looking for an instant response through a succession of corner-kicks, but the Rockets helped by Ntwari cleared the lines.
Despite the lead, the Rockets still made a change after halftime with Samir Nurkovic introduced ahead of Marks Munyai.
Stellenbosch attempted to hit the leveller minutes in when Rayners worked a yard of space from a tight angle, but slammed wide of the far corner.
The Maroons continued pushing midway in the half and saw a one-touch effort by substitute Antonio Van Wyk nestle over as Galaxy fluffed their lines.
Stellies were level around 15 minutes to go when Ismael Toure latched onto a loose ball from a scramble in the box and curled in the top corner.
However, Galaxy could’ve gone back ahead ten minutes later through a rasping shot from a tight angle by Sphiwe Mahlangu but Stephens smothered tremendously.
Former Kaizer Chiefs man Nurkovic missed a golden chance minutes before time when he snapped Mojela’s layoff wide of the far corner.
Galaxy remained in the ascendancy in extra-time through the lion share of chances, whilst the Maroons finished with ten men as Basadien got his marching orders for dissent on Mojela.
No goals followed minutes later and the clash entered to a penalty shoot-out, which went into sudden death after a miss on either side.
A huge miss from Mojela proved costly in sudden deat as it allowed former Chiefs man Darrel Matsheke to net the decisive spot-kick and hand the Maroons their first top flight crown.
Confirmed line-ups:
Stellenbosch: Stephens, Toure, Basadien, Van Rooyen, Nduli, Moloisane, Adams, Palace, Oura, Titus, Rayners
Subs: Langeveldt, Mcaba, Sibande, Mgaga, Matsheke, Sekgota, De Jong, Van Wyk, Boji
TS Galaxy: Ntwari, Munyai, Mahlangu, Sanoka, Letsoenyo, Mvelase, Khiba, Vidal, Sebelebele, Mojela, Mahlangu.
Subs: Kolak, Seema, Nurkovic, Mongae, Mbatha, Mere, Mbunjana, Radebe, Semache
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