Stellies rocket to MTN8 semi-finals with victory over TS Galaxy
Stellenbosch Football Club advanced to the semi-final of the 2024 MTN8 competition after recording a 3-1 win over TS Galaxy at Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch.
For the second season in a row, Stellenbosch will compete in the last-four of the MTN8 after defeating first-round opponents TS Galaxy on Sunday afternoon.
The first real chance of the enthralling encounter came on the quarter-hour mark when Andre de Jong found himself in front of goal, but the New Zealand forward’s effort was denied by a close-ranged save from Wensten van der Linde.
Moments later, Antonio van Wyk fashioned another opportunity down the left wing but couldn’t direct his powerful drive on target, as Stellies looked to gain the ascendancy in the tie.
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However, those missed chances were punished at the other end of the pitch soon after when Kamogelo Sebelebele gave TS Galaxy the lead with a commendable individual effort.
Steve Barker’s side reacted positively to the early setback though and found a response through Jayden Adams, who deftly dinked a weighted pass from Devin Titus over Van der Linde to level the scores.
Titus was involved again in Stellies taking the lead just before half-time when his powerful effort from outside the box earned his side a corner kick, from which Andre de Jong rose highest to meet Fawaaz Basadien’s whipped cross.
That lead held until half-time, but Stellenbosch weren’t satisfied with their slender advantage after returning for the second stanza.
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Instead, the team from the Cape Winelands pushed on in search of a third and were rewarded when left-back Fawaaz Basadien finished off a well-worked team move with a striker’s finish into the bottom corner.
New signings Sanele Barns and Bradley Mojela were introduced for their respective debuts as Stellies looked to maintain the pressure, and both came close to scoring at the death, as the home team saw out a comfortable 3-1 victory at Danie Craven Stadium.