Stellies hit fast to claim first-leg advantage over AS Vita ...
On a starless night in Cape Town, Stellenbosch FC started in the ascendency and came close to opening the scoring within five minutes when Devin Titus was denied at close-range, before Sihle Nduli curled a follow-up strike over the bar.
That early assault proved a sign of things to come as Stellies took the lead just moments later, with Thabo Moloisane rising highest to direct a thumping header beyond opposition ‘keeper Sofiane Ouedraogo.
The dust had hardly settled when the team from the Cape Winelands doubled their advantage through Lehlogonolo Mojela, who drilled home a powerful right-footed effort from inside the box.
Stellenbosch continued to press forward and Mojela almost found a second on the stroke of half-time but was denied at point-blank range by Ouedraogo, who required treatment after bravely putting his body on the line.
As it was, the score remained unchanged as Stellies headed to the dressing rooms with a two-goal lead, but they emerged from the break looking for more.
With just under an hour played, penalty shouts were denied as Mojela was hauled down in the box before Ibraheem Jabaar had an effort cleared off the goalline by a last-gasp intervention from the Vita defence.
At the other end, having been mostly untroubled throughout the encounter, Sage Stephens stayed shared to deny an AS Vita attack, making himself big to deny a powerful effort with his chest.
With the match nearing its end, Stellies head coach Steve Barker rang the changes as Titus, Mojela, Andre de Jong and Jayden Adams made way for Sanele Barns, Langelihle Phili, Genino Palace, and Ashley Cupido.
The latter almost made an instant impact but stumbled over his feet at the crucial moment after breaking clear of the opposition defence. He still managed a shot on goal but his effort was blocked by a backtracking defender.
Starting XI: Stephens (C), Moloisane, Tore, Mcaba, Basadien, Nduli, Jabaar, Adams (Cupido 78′), De Jong (Palace 78′), Titus (Barns 82′), Mojela (Phili 82′)
