Stellenbosch and Polokwane City will fight for a place in the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals when they clash on Thursday evening at Danie Craven Stadium.
Nedbank Cup
Result: Stellenbosch FC 2-0 Polokwane City
Date: 13 February 2025
Venue: Dani Craven Stadium
Stellies were boosted by the return of Fawaaz Basadien, alongside Lesiba Nku, Ibraheem Jabaar and Genino Palace, as changes from the loss against Kaizer Chiefs.
Polokwane kept the same side from their 2-0 defeat to Richards Bay.
The Cape Winelands outfit had a dream start after they went ahead thanks to an own goal by Bulelani Nikani, who deflected a shot by Devon Titus.
Polokwane got into the game midway into the first stanza as Nikani almost redeemed himself with a strike in the box that flashed wide.
As the game opened up, Titus doubled the lead for Steve Barker's charges eight minutes before the interval with a looping shot that found the top corner after he combined with Khomotjo Lekoloane.
Rise and Shine nearly pulled a goal back just before the break after Manuel Kambala forced a save out of goalkeeper Sage Stephens.
Stellies had a different approach from the break as they sat deep and absorbed the pressure from City.
The home side were dangerous on counter-attacks as with 20 minutes remaining, Andre de Jong almost ended the encounter as a contest with a strike that was smothered by shot-stopper Manuel Sapunga.
Stellies were comfortable going into the last ten minutes, as Thato Khiba replaced Titus for fresh legs.
Phuti Mohafe's troops still had the hope of rescuing the game in the dying minutes as Kambala had a chance with a header that was kept out by Stephens.
However, the writing was on the wall in added time as Stellenbosch cruised to the quarter-finals.
Here's how they line up:
Stellenbosch FC: Stephens, Lekoloane, Toure, Enyinnaya, Basadien, Moloisane, Jabaar, Palace, Nku, Titus, De Jong
Subs: Masuluke, Onyango, Mdaka, Abrahams, Bustaka, Khiba, Barns, Phili, Cupido
Polokwane City: Sapunga, Makhubela, Gwangqa, Nikani, Nkaki, Kambala, Ramabu, Maphangule, Daniels, Letshedi, Appollis
Subs: Mathebula, Motsa, Baloyi, Batlhabane, Marema, Nana, Tshabalala
