Stellenbosch’s hopes of overturning a 1-0 deficit in the second leg of their CAF Confederation Cup semi-final against Simba ended in disappointment at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday, bringing their maiden journey in the competition to a close.

Simba, coached by South African mentor Fadlu Davids, have reached the final for the first time since 1993 and will face the winner of the other semi-final between RS Berkane and CS Constantine.

The two North African sides were scheduled to play their second leg later on Sunday.

Stellies had lost the first leg 1-0 in Zanzibar the previous Sunday.

In that initial match, they were without their captain Sage Stephens, who was not even on the bench due to his ongoing injury. Oscarine Masuluke started in goal.

Masuluke, who conceded a goal to Jean-Charles Ahoua in first-half stoppage time of the first leg – a goal that was reviewed by VAR – was once again named in the starting lineup for the second leg in Durban.

Stellenbosch endured a near-nightmare start as Simba were awarded a penalty in the 12th minute when Denis Kibu went down following a slight challenge from Chumani Butsaka.

The Stellies players protested the decision, and the referee was asked to review the incident via VAR. After a few checks, referee Mohamed Mansour overturned his initial call.

Stellies grew into the game, and Khomotso Lekoloane found space on the left flank, but his final cross was poor, going straight to Simba goalkeeper Moussa Camara.

Sihle Nduli also came close with a powerful header in stoppage time, but Camara was equal to the task, making a comfortable save.

Stellenbosch had their own penalty appeal in the 55th minute when Butsaka’s cross appeared to strike the hand of Côte d’Ivoire defender Chamou Karaboue.

Referee Mansour consulted the pitchside VAR monitor and subsequently reversed his decision, ruling that Karaboue’s hand was tucked into his body – the second penalty decision overturned by VAR in the match.

Stellenbosch needed to take risks and push forward in search of the crucial goal that would have forced extra time and potentially kept their final hopes alive.

Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker made a series of substitutions, bringing on Genino Palace, Lesiba Nku, and Sanele Barns in quick succession to inject fresh energy into his team, who were struggling to find a breakthrough.

As Stellenbosch increased the pressure, they believed they had finally found the equalizer.

Palace, one of the substitutes, appeared to have scored a vital goal from close range after a faint touch by Andre de Jong inside the box.

However, for the third time in the match, Mansour cancelled the goal after VAR intervention, ruling that De Jong was offside in the build-up.

Time was running out for Stellies to find the equalizer in a second half where they largely dominated possession and territory.

Barns had a golden opportunity to score in the 84th minute but blasted his close-range shot wide after being set up perfectly by a brilliant backheel from Nku, who had skillfully evaded several defenders. However, the chance went begging.

Despite the defeat, reaching the semi-finals was an incredible achievement for Stellies, especially considering they did not play a single match at their home ground in Stellenbosch, as the Danie Craven Stadium was deemed unfit by CAF standards.

They played their Confederation Cup matches in Durban, Pretoria, and Cape Town.

The club also faced the setback of losing key players such as Deano van Rooyen, Jayden Adams, and Iqraam Rayners at the start of the season, players who were instrumental in their third-place finish in the previous Betway Premiership campaign.

Nevertheless, their journey in this competition was a success story, highlighted by their impressive victory over defending champions Zamalek in the quarter-finals.

Meanwhile, this marks the second time Simba coach Davids has guided a club to the Confederation Cup final. He previously reached the final with Orlando Pirates in the 2021/22 season as a co-coach with Mandla Ncikazi, where they ultimately lost to RS Berkane on penalties – the same RS Berkane who are also in the semi-finals of this year’s competition.