Stellies snatch late winner in CAF Group C opener against AS Otohô
Stellenbosch FC opened their 2025-26 CAF Confederation Cup Group C campaign with a dramatic last-gasp win over Congo’s AS Otohô
Stellenbosch FC hosted Congolese Ligue 1 side AS Otohô at New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Sunday in what was both clubs’ opening match of the 2025-26 CAF Confederation Cup Group Stage.
Steve Barker’s troops enjoyed the majority of possession during the opening stanza and fashioned the first chance of the half through Muzomuhle Khanyi, who stung the palms of opposition ‘keeper Aboubacar Doumbia with an effort from range.
Thabo Moloisane made his 100th appearance for Stellenbosch FC across all competitions during Sunday’s match against Otohô. In doing so, he became the first player to reach the milestone by having started in all 100 matches in which he featured.
However, Otohô had the best chance of the first 45 when, on the stroke of half-time, they hit the crossbar with a free-kick after a foul had been awarded on the edge of the box for a handball. That ultimately proved to be the last action of the half as the sides went into the break level.
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Following the break, and with just over an hour played, Azerbaijani defender Turan Manafov tested the opposition’s keeper with a powerful left-footed effort from range, before turning provider with a sumptuous free-kick delivery that Kazie Enyinna came close to converting.
Ten minutes before full-time, Ashley Cupido came close to opening the scoring after being picked out by fellow substitute Sanele Barns, but his effort was denied on the edge of the box by a last-gasp intervention by Doumbia.
The match entered additional time, and the Stellies faithful may have been forgiven for thinking it wouldn’t be their day, but Cupido had other ideas as he latched onto a ball from Thato Khiba and kept his composure to score a late, late winner.