Stellenbosch Ease Pass FIFA-Banned Galaxy To Reach MTN8 Semis

Stellenbosch eased past FIFA transfer-banned TS Galaxy to reach their second successive MTN8 semifinal at Danie Craven Stadium on Sunday.
Steve Barker’s side secured a 3-1 victory, with goals from Jaydon Adams and Andre de Jong in the first half, and Fawaaz Basadien adding a third from close range in the second.
Stellies now join defending champions Orlando Pirates in the last four, who defeated SuperSport United 3-1 at Orlando Stadium on Saturday. The match against Galaxy was a rematch of the Carling Knockout final in December, where Barker’s team clinched their maiden PSL trophy.
Galaxy sought to end their losing streak against Stellenbosch, a team they had never beaten since Tim Sukazi acquired the club’s status. De Jong nearly opened the scoring for Stellies early on, but Galaxy goalkeeper Websten van der Linde made a superb save. Antonio van Wyk also missed a clear opportunity, firing his shot over the bar.
Against the run of play, Galaxy struck first through Kamogelo Sebelebele, who caught Sage Stephens outside the box in the 18th minute. However, Stellenbosch responded swiftly, with Devin Titus’s cross finding Adams, who flicked the ball into an empty net. De Jong doubled the lead before halftime, connecting with a corner from Basadien.
Basadien extended Stellenbosch’s advantage to 3-1 in the 58th minute, firing the ball between van der Linde’s legs. Galaxy’s day worsened when Macbeth Mahlangu was sent off with two minutes remaining. Sanele Barns had a chance to add a fourth goal but fired wide.
Pirates and Stellenbosch will await the winners of the Mamelodi Sundowns-Polokwane City and Sekhukhune United-Cape Town City quarter-finals to determine their semifinal opponents. Those matches will be played next weekend.
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[…] Galaxy suffered a 3-1 defeat to Stellies, but the playing surface was in a deplorable condition due to heavy rain in Cape Town over the past few weeks. Large patches of the pitch were bare, and the ball was bouncing unpredictably. […]