Stellenbosch FC secured a 2-0 win over Sekhukhune United in the first leg of their MTN8 semi-final on Saturday night.
MTN8
Result: Stellenbosch FC 2-0 Sekhukhune United
Date: 16 August 2025
Venue: Danie Craven Stadium
Stellies coach Steve Barker brought Enyinnaya Godswill and Ibraheem Jabaar back into the line-up, while there was also a debut for new signing Mthetheleli Mthiyane.
Meanwhile, Eric Tinkler recalled veterans Miguel Timm and Bradley Grobler, who scored a late winner off the bench on Wednesday night in the Betway Premiership against TS Galaxy.
It was an evenly contested affair in the early stages, where both Stellenbosch and Sekhukhune managed to carve out a couple half chances in the opening 15 minutes but neither goalkeeper was seriously tested.
The opening goal arrived on 22 minutes when Enyinnaya opened his account for the season with a towering header at the near post that left goalkeeper Renaldo Leaner with no chance.
The lead was doubled in the 33rd minute when Lesiba Nku embarked on a superb run on the counter-attack before picking out Devin Titus, who skipped past Daniel Cardoso before firing past Leaner.
Sekhukhune came out for the second half with a lot more purpose in the attack, but they were let down by the finishing in the 18 yard area while the home side remained a threat on the counter attack.
Stellenbosch, however, were quite resolute at the back for majority of the second half, which forced coach Tinkler to change up his attack by withdrawing Keletso Makgalwa on 70 minutes for Malekgene Mampuru.
That proved to be the trend for the remainder of the game as Stellenbosch will head to next week's second leg with a 2-0 goal cushion.
Here's how they lined up:
Stellenbosch: Stephens, Kazie, Moloisane, Stanic, Mdaka, Mthiyani, Khiba, Jabaar, de Jong, Cupido, Titus.
Sekhukhune United: Leaner, Thokolo, Cardoso, Letlapa, Matsimbi, Mkhize, Timm, Rammala, Mncube, Grobler, Makgalwa
