Stellenbosch Beat AmaZulu In MTN8 Quarter-Final Thriller

Stellenbosch defeated AmaZulu in a thrilling MTN8 quarter-final match on Sunday, securing their spot in the semi-finals thanks to a late goal from Langelihle Phili.

The match, played at the DHL Stadium, was a back-and-forth affair that required extra time to decide a winner.

Phili, a former AmaZulu player, scored the winning goal in the 108th minute. He cut inside from the wing and fired a powerful shot past AmaZulu goalkeeper Olwethu Mzimela to make it 3-2.

With this victory, Stellenbosch joins defending champions Orlando Pirates and Sekhukhune United in the semi-finals. The final spot will be decided by the match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Richards Bay.

AmaZulu started the match looking strong and seemed to be in control early on. Their early pressure paid off in the 19th minute when defender Keagan Allan, a new signing from Richards Bay, slotted the ball home from a Sandile Mthethwa cutback, giving them a 1-0 lead.

However, Stellenbosch quickly responded. Just seven minutes later, Devin Titus delivered a perfectly placed cross with the outside of his boot, and Sanele Barns slotted it in to level the score. In the process, Barns accidentally collided with AmaZulu goalkeeper Richard Ofori, whose face was hit by Barns’ knee. Ofori was left bleeding and appeared concussed, forcing him to be substituted. Mzimela came on as his replacement.

Barns continued to be a threat and scored his second goal in the 69th minute with a stunning free kick that sailed over the wall and beat Mzimela. The goalkeeper appeared to be out of position, leaving a large gap for the ball to go through. This goal was particularly significant for Barns, who had been linked with a move to AmaZulu during the off-season.

Stellenbosch’s lead didn’t last long, though. AmaZulu found an equalizer just four minutes later when Teboho Mashego—who had replaced Ryan Moon at halftime—fired a looped ball into the net from a Hendrick Ekstein setup. Stellenbosch goalkeeper Sage Stephens was unable to keep the ball out despite his efforts.

The match also saw the return of Bradley Mojela, who had suffered a recurring knee injury in October during last year’s MTN8 final. Mojela had been sidelined since that game, where he scored a goal in the 3-1 loss to Orlando Pirates.

In the final minutes of regular time, AmaZulu had chances to win it, but Ben Motshwari and Mashego both inexplicably missed the target. Stellenbosch also had an opportunity, but Chumani Butsaka’s curling shot was tipped away by Mzimela, sending the game into extra time at 2-2.

Ultimately, it was the former AmaZulu man, Phili, who sealed the victory for Stellenbosch. His powerful strike in the second half of extra time sent his team to the semi-finals, a year after they lost in the final.