CAF Confederation Cup: Stellenbosch FC seal group stage spot after stellar second preliminary round second leg victory over 15 de Agosto

Stellenbosch seized early control, earning a penalty when Lehlohonolo Mojela was brought down by the opposition keeper. Thato Khiba stepped up and calmly slotted it home to put the hosts ahead inside 20 minutes. The Cape Winelands side kept the pressure on but went into the break with a narrow 1-0 advantage.

Stellies carried their momentum into the second half, with Sanele Barns calmly slotting home in the 54th minute to double the lead. Mojela looked to add another moments later, but his strike was ruled offside. Just past the hour mark, Andre de Jong joined the scoring party, capping off a flowing move with a composed third.

With a commanding lead, Stellenbosch made a flurry of substitutions to inject fresh energy and rest key players. The visitors then managed to pull one back in the 80th minute, briefly sparking hope. But Chumani Butsaka silenced any comeback talk in the 88th, sealing a 4-1 win and Stellenbosch’s passage to the CAF Confederation Cup group stage for a second successive season.

Stellenbosch’s ascent in the CAF Confederation Cup has been nothing short of remarkable. In their debut 2024/25 campaign, the Cape Winelands side shattered expectations by charging into the semi-finals. 

Their standout performances earned them a CAF Men’s Club of the Year nomination, a milestone moment for the Western Cape outfit.

Steve Barker’s charges now turn their attention to the Carling Knockout Cup, where a midweek showdown with Marumo Gallants awaits. 

Stellenbosch will hit the road for their quarter-final clash, set to take place at Dr. Petrus Molemela Stadium on Wednesday, 29 October, as they aim to keep their cup run alive.