Stellenbosch booked their spot in the CAF Confederation Cup group stages for the first time after a 3-1 aggregate win in the second preliminary round.
CAF Confederation Cup
Result: AS Vita 1-1 Stellenbosch FC (3-1 on agg.)
Date: 22 September 2024
Venue: Stade des Martyrs de la Pentecote
Stellies named an unchanged line-up from their 2-0 win in the first-leg, as the attack of Andre de Jong, Jayden Adams, Lehlohonolo Mojela and Ibraheem Jabaar continued.
Steve Barker's charges had a good start as within the first 13 minutes, Mojela found the back of the net but the goal was disallowed for offside.
Vita gained momentum midway into the first stanza as shot-stopper Sage Stephens made a double save to keep the Congolese side at bay.
The game opened up after the half-hour mark, with Stellies also having chances to get an away goal in transitional attacks.
However, the Cape Winelands outfit had a setback on the stroke of half-time as they were reduced to ten men after Ismael Toure got a second yellow card and was sent off.
Stellies went to the break goalless with Vita, although they had a big second-half ahead, holding a 2-0 lead on aggregate.
From the break, Barker had no choice but to sacrifice an attacker, De Jong and brought on defender Kyle Jurgens to plug the gap left by Toure in defence.
The Western Cape side held their own in the early stages of the second stanza but The Black Dolphins gained momentum after the hour-mark and Stephens rescued the visitors again, as he made a crucial save from a corner situation.
As the game opened up, Stellies profited from a counter-attack with 23 minutes remaining after Mojela fired home a half-volley that broke the deadlock, a precious away goal and made it 3-0 on aggregate.
Vita were fired up and after piling up the pressure, they eventually levelled matters and reduced the deficit to 3-1 on aggregate in the last minute from the penalty spot.
However, Stellies had already done enough to book their spot in the group stages in their first season in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Here's how they lined up:
Stellenbosch FC: Stephens, Mcaba, Toure, Basadien, Moloisane, Jabaar, Nduli, Adams, Titus, De Jong, Mojela
Subs: Masuluke, Jurgens, De Kock, Mdaka, Onyango, Palace, Barns, Cupido, Phili
