Phili Stunner Not Enough As Stellenbosch Draw With Singida In Confed Cup
Langelihle Phili scored one of the best goals of his career, but Stellenbosch were unable to secure a win as they drew 1–1 with Singida Black Stars in their CAF Confederation Cup group-stage match at Amaan Stadium on Sunday.
The former AmaZulu attacker combined with Ashley Cupido before unleashing a thunderous strike seven minutes into the second half.
The draw sees Stellenbosch — who have been struggling in the Betway Premiership — move to the top of Group C with four points from two matches.
Stellenbosch came into this fixture having defeated AS Otoho of the Republic of the Congo with a late winner at Peter Mokaba Stadium last weekend.
Otoho have since bounced back, beating Sead Ramovic’s CR Belouizdad to get their Group C campaign up and running.
Singida entered the match bottom of the group after losing their opener to Belouizdad and remain rooted to the bottom with zero points.
The Tanzanian side are coached by Miguel Gamondi, who won the PSL title with Mamelodi Sundowns in the 2006/07 season alongside Neil Tovey as co-coaches. He also doubles as the Tanzania national team coach and will lead them at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco next month, where they will face Nigeria, Tunisia and Uganda.
In the match played in Zanzibar, Singida were the first to threaten, with Oscarine Masuluke punching away a strike from Zambia’s Clatous Chama after a break down the right-hand side.
Stellenbosch’s best attacking moment resulted in the opening goal, scored by Phili in the 52nd minute.
The Amajita star latched onto a cushioned pass from Cupido, sped ahead of his marker, composed himself and fired centrally past Amas Obasogie with a powerful finish.
The goal came on Phili’s 50th appearance for the club.
Singida responded with intensity in search of an equaliser, but initially struggled to break through Steve Barker’s defence. During that period, Nigerian midfielder Morice Chukwu, playing as a centre-back, saw a deflected effort go wide.
With two minutes remaining, Omega Mdaka was adjudged to have brought down Gambian forward Lamine Jarjou inside the box. Togolese attacker Marouf Tchakei converted the penalty, placing it into the bottom corner.
It was Singida’s first-ever goal in the competition.
Masuluke became the busier of the two goalkeepers, parrying several efforts as the home side pushed hard for a winner.
The match ended level — and along with scoring their first goal in the tournament, Singida also collected their first point in CAF Confederation Cup history.
