MTN 8: Phili’s strike wins it for Stellenbosch FC

Substitute Langelihle Phili’s strike in the second half of extra-time earned Stellenbosch FC a hard-fought 3-2 win over stubborn AmaZulu FC in South Africa on Sunday.

The two teams were locked at two-all in a four-goal thriller after ninety minutes of the MTN8 quarterfinal match at DHL Stadium in Cape Town, forcing the proceedings to spill over into extra-time.

Ahead of the regulation time of the pre-season competition, coach Steve Barker fielded Sage Stephens in goals while Ashley Cupido and De Jong led the attack.

In the opposite camp, Richard Ofori manned the sticks, Bongani Zulu took charge of the midfield and new arrival Ryan Moon occupied the tip of AmaZulu’s attack.

It was the visitors, AmaZulu, who looked more determined to break the deadlock which eventually came. Debutant Keagan Allan put Usuthu ahead when he controlled the ball with his right then slid it into the net with his left.

The goal came after AmaZulu had switched play from the right to the left where they strung short and neat passes to slice Stellenbosch’s defence open in the 19^th minute.

AmaZulu suffered a setback after Ofori was injured and Olwethu Mzimela replaced him.

Winger Sanele Barns equalised for the hosts in the 25th minute giving Barker’s men the momentum which saw them finishing the half very strongly. The two teams were tied at 1-1 at half time.

In the second half, Stellenbosch looked the better of the two teams and got rewarded when Barns claimed his goal of the afternoon. The clean-shaven player dispatched a ferocious freekick around the wall, beating diving Mzimela in the 68th minute before being substituted shortly after.

The hosts’ lead lasted just four minutes as Teboho Mashigo fired in the equaliser via a deflection. AmaZulu had made the most of a sloppy back-pass to punish Stellenbosch.

AmaZulu had two chances to snatch a late winner, but midfielders Hendrik Ekstein and Ben Motshwari fired their shots over the target, leaving coach Arthur Zwane frustrated. The match was then extended into extra-time which swung in coach Barker’s favour.