Stellies take CAF prelims first leg advantage with win over Hotspurs ...

Stellenbosch FC will take a three-goal advantage into the second leg of their CAF Confederation Cup First Preliminary Round tie after downing Nsingizini Hotspurs at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.

Competing in the CAF Confederation Cup for the first time, Stellenbosch opened their maiden continental campaign with an impressive victory after recording a 3-0 First Preliminary Round first-leg win over Eswatini’s Nsingizini Hotspurs.

Recap | Barker: Our dream of playing Africa has come to fruition 

After a tense opening half an hour, Stellies finally took the lead when Andre de Jong latched onto a pinpoint cross from Kyle Jurgens at the far post to fire his side ahead.

The dust had hardly settled from De Jong’s opener when Devin Titus doubled the advantage, capitalising on a glaring defensive error to toe-poke the ball beyond the opposition ‘keeper Sibusiso Dlamini and into the back of the net.

Three away goals to grab the win for @StellenboschFC. ????#TotalEnergiesCAFCC pic.twitter.com/EnP6Jnh3aM

— TotalEnergiesCAFCL & TotalEnergiesCAFCC ???? (@CAFCLCC) August 17, 2024

Steve Barker’s troops took that lead with them into the half-time break and emerged from the dressing room looking to press home their dominance in the second stanza.

They were rewarded in the 71st minute when Bradley Mojela raced into the box and was brought down by Dlamini, resulting in the match referee awarding a penalty in Stellenbosch’s favour.

Fawaaz Basadien stepped up from the mark and made no mistake with his spot-kick, tripling his side’s advantage on the day and ensuring that the Maroons head into the reverse fixture with three away goals in the bank.

Read | Statement regarding use of Moses Mabhida Stadium for home games

Stellenbosch will return to Durban next weekend to host that return leg due to the current unavailability of the club’s traditional home venue, Danie Craven Stadium, and the surrounding stadia in the Western Cape.

Stellenbosch FC XI v N. Hotspurs: Stephens, Jurgens, Mcaba (De Kock), Moloisane, Nduli (Palace), Adams (Van Wyk), De Jong (Palace), Titus (Oura), Barns, Mojela (Boji)