Stellenbosch FC opened their 2024 Premier League Next Gen Cup account with a 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday.

Playing at Aston Villa’s Bodymoor Heath Training Ground in Birmingham, Stellenbosch FC’s reserve team opened their Group A campaign in style after recording a 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur.

Stellenbosch started the match with high intensity and their attacking line immediately put their Premier League opponents on the back foot by successfully and relentlessly applying a high press.

That resulted in the team from the Winelands creating a host of chances in the opening ten minutes, with Langelihle Phili, Keanan Johanessen, and Ethan Felix all fashioning chances in front of goal.

Phili, affectionately known as Major, was the first to take aim and fired narrowly wide with a left-footed effort after being picked out by a superb ball from Kyle Bailey.

Johanessen then struck the crossbar with a scuffed effort just moments later, before Spurs ‘keeper Samuel Archer pulled a succession of saves to deny him, Felix, and Phili in quick succession.

With it looking as though Stellies might rue their missed chances, they finally found the lead from a set-piece when Dexter Oliver headed into his own goal from a well-taken Tyler Cicero corner.

That moment of misfortune from the Spurs defender ultimately proved the difference at half-time as Evangelos Vellios’ side headed into the break with a narrow advantage.

Both teams looked to attack in the second stanza which made for an exciting, end-to-end match, but neither side was able to add to the scoresheet, with Archer and Stellies’ Ah Shene both doing well to protect their goalline.

The former notably pulled off a smart save near the death to deny Bailey and keep his side in the tie, but it was ultimately in vain as the first-half own goal proved to be decisive as Stellenbosch emerged victorious.

There was to be more action after the 90 minutes though as, per tournament rules, the two sides took part in a penalty shootout to compete for the prospect of earning an additional point.

The team from North London earned the consolation point after emerging victorious from the shootout, winning 5-4 after a lengthy spot-kick battle.