Stellenbosch FC have booked their ticket to the MTN 8 semi-finals after recording a 1-0 win over SuperSport United at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday.

Stellenbosch FC will compete in a first-ever MTN 8 semi-final after eliminating three-time champions SuperSport United in Polokwane on Sunday, courtesy of a 100th-minute winner from New Zealand international, Andre De Jong.

The first moment of note came in the 13th minute of the match when captain Deano van Rooyen latched onto a smart pass from Iqraam Rayners and fired passed former Stellies ‘keeper Washington Arubi, but the flag had already gone up for offside by the time the ball hit the net.

Eight minutes later, Terrence Dzvukamanja came close for the hosts at the other end of the pitch when he directed a powerful header at goal from the edge of the box, but his effort sailed narrowly over the bar with Sage Stephens troubled.

However, the best chance of the half fell to Stellies’ Devin Titus who drew a smart save from Arubi after latching onto a pinpoint cross from Kgaogelo Sekgota, who in turn was making his first start for the Maroons on the night.

The teams entered and emerged from the half-time break with the scorers untroubled before Matsatsantsa’s Ronald Pfumbidzai sought to change that, driving a powerful effort on target which was denied only by a brilliant save from Stephens at full-stretch.

Iqraam Rayners had an effort blocked shortly after the hour mark, in between the introduction of substitutes Anicet Oura, Antonio van Wyk, and Andre De Jong, as Steve Barker looked up the attacking ante in the final third of the match.

Defender Fawaaz Basadien then curled a late effort into SuperSport United’s side netting but neither team was able to break the deadlock in the allotted 90 minutes of play, forcing the tie into extra time where the prospect of a penalty shootout loomed large.

That eventuality never materialised, however, as Basadien whipped in a corner from the left that was headed home by De Jong on the 100-minute mark, giving Stellenbosch the lead and ultimately the goal that would fire the club to a first-ever MTN 8 semi-final.