Stellenbosch FC defeated Sekhukhune United 2-0 in the MTN8 semi-final first leg on Saturday evening.
Kazie Enyinnaya, Ibraheem Jabaar, Ashley Cupido were restored by the Maroons, while Babina Noko gave Miguel Timm and Bradley Grobler recalls to the starting eleven following their midweek victory against TS Galaxy.
Cupido unfortunately saw his time on the field last just seven minutes after picking up an injury, with Lesiba Nku brought on in his place.
The early change didn’t unsettle the hosts, who still raced into the lead in the midway stage of the half when a pin-point delivery from Nku found Enyinnaya, who headed home.
Nku remained influential ten minutes later and played a superb first-time pass to Devon Titus, who cut inside of Daniel Cardoso and doubled the lead with a neat finish.
Sekhukhune coach Eric Tinkler made a double substitution at the interval, with Mokete Mogaila coming in for Mpho Rammala while Chibuike Ohizu replaced Cardoso.
The added numbers to the attack strengthened the visitors who targeted a way back early on in the second period but the Maroons kept them at bay.
Steve Barker’s charges still had the better of overall momentum despite not having the same dominance particularly from attacking point of view.
Both teams went at each other within the final minutes as a rasping shot outside the area from Jabaar shaved the top corner and had Renaldo Leaner in some bother.
The Maroons contained the remainder of the clash and claimed a comprehensive first-leg victory ahead of the second leg next week in Polokwane.
Photo by Shaun Roy/Gallo Images
Confirmed line-ups:
Stellenbosch: Stephens, Kazie, Moloisane, Stanic, Mdaka, Mthiyani, Khiba, Jabaar, de Jong, Cupido, Titus.
Sekhukhune United: Leaner, Thokolo, Cardoso, Letlapa, Matsimbi, Mkhize, Timm, Rammala, Mncube, Grobler, Makgalwa