Stellenbosch FC have been crowned the first Carling Knockout champions after overcoming TS Galaxy on penalties on Saturday afternoon.
Carling Knockout Final
Result: Stellenbosch 1-1 TS Galaxy (Stellies won 5-4 on penalties)
Date: 16 December 2023
Venue: Moses Mabhida Stadium
Stellies made three changes from their narrow win against Cape Town City, as goalkeeper Sage Stephens, Olivier Toure and Jayden Adams were recalled.
Galaxy, on the other hand, brought in goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari and Kamogelo Sebelebele as two changes from their narrow defeat against Orlando Pirates.
The sides were sizing each other out in the early exchanges and not taking risks, with strikes from outside the box.
However, Steve Barker's charges showed determination to go ahead on 18 minutes after Iqraam Rayners went through on goal but his shot was saved by Ntwari in a one-on-one.
The Cape Winelands side gained momentum and but they were taking shots from range, none of which seriously trouble Ntwari between the sticks for Galaxy..
The Rockets absorbed the pressure and looked for chances on counter-attacks and just before the halftime break, Lehlohonolo Mojela broke the deadlock with a looping shot in the box that took slight deflection and found the top corner.
Sead Ramovic made a tactical and attacking change from the interval, as Samir Nurkovic replaced Marks Munyai.
Nurkovic almost doubled the lead for Galaxy moments later, with a curling shot from the edge of the box that flashed just over the crossbar.
Stellies were spirited in the early exchanges of the second stanza and after sustained pressure, Toure eventually levelled matters on 73 minutes, with a cracking left-footed shot from a rebound in the box.
The game opened up after that and Sphiwe Mahlangu had a glorious chance for Galaxy eight minutes before time after he dribbled his way through at the near post but his thumping shot was heroically kept out by Stephens.
The game was there for the taking in the dying minutes and the Rockets had a penalty shout in stoppages after Nurkovic was clipped down in the box but the referee instead cautioned him for simulation and the sides went to extra-time after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
The game was on the balance in extra-time and to offer fresh legs, Stellies brought on Kgaogelo Sekgota in place of Devin Titus and Rayners was also withdrawn and replaced by young striker Mervin Boji.
Galaxy were more energetic after that as Mojela almost restored their lead at the end of the first period of extra-time with a strike that took a deflection and wrong-footed Stephens but missed the gaping net wide.
Stellenbosch sat deep in their own half, as they lacked numbers in attack and they finished the game with ten men after Fawaaz Basadien was red-carded with two minutes remaining for apparent dissent and the game eventually went to penalty shootouts.
Stellies won the penalty shoot-out 5-4 after former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Darrel Matsheke scored a decisive kick in sudden death after Mojela fired his spot-kick over the crossbar.
Here's how they lined up:
Stellenbosch: 17. Stephens, 45. Toure, 21. Basadien, 7. Van Rooyen, 8. Nduli, 24. Moloisane, 23. Adams, 28. Palace, 14. Oura, 34. Titus, 9. Rayners
Subs: 35. Langeveldt, 26. Mcaba, 22. Sibande, 10. Mgaga, 5. Matsheke, 20. Sekgota, 18. De Jong, 29. Van Wyk, 19. Boji
TS Galaxy: 16. Ntwari, 23. Munyai, 4 M.Mahlangu, 3. Sanoka, 33. Letsoenyo, 2. Mvelase, 12. Khiba, 21. Vidal, 21. Sebelebele, 27. Mojela, 11. S. Mahlangu.
Subs: 32. Kolak, 45. Seema, 9. Nurkovic, 7. Mongae, 35. Mbatha, 30. Mere, 8. Mbunjana, 14. Radebe, 13. Semache
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