Stellies end 2023 with sensational comeback win over Pirates
Stellenbosch FC closed off the 2023 calendar year with a remarkable 3-2 come-from-behind DStv Premiership win over Orland Pirates in Soweto on Friday.
In the club’s first match since being crowned Carling Knockout champions, Stellenbosch FC picked up where they left off by recording a sensational victory over Orlando Pirates at the Orlando Stadium on Friday.
Having trailed 1-0 at half-time to a penalty from Tapelo Xoki, and seen that deficit doubled on the hour-mark by Evidence Makgopa, Stellies responded in style during the latter stages of the second stanza with a breathless passage of play that saw them score three times in just over eight minutes.
Iqraam Rayners, who became the club’s second-most capped player of all-time on the night, instigated the comeback with an accurate left-footed finish in the 69th minute, and he was involved in the build-up again two minutes later when Devin Titus leveled the scoring.
Not happy to settle with a point, the team from the Cape Winelands looked to make the most of their advantage and did just that with just over 10 minutes remaining, when substitutes Antonio van Wyk and Andre de Jong combined for the latter to fire home a dramatic match-winner.
Pirates then had a late chance to level matters through a free-kick from Deon Hotto but Stellies ‘keeper Sage Stephens was on hand to deny him with a smart save after the effort had snuck under the wall.
That was ultimately how things remained as Stellenbosch emerged victorious to end the 2023 calendar year on a high note, althewhile extending their impressive unbeaten run to eleven matches across all competitions.