Stellenbosch FC warmed up for the MTN8 final with a 1-1 draw against Polokwane City in their Premiership clash at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Sunday evening.
Both goals were scored in the first half, and the outcome leaves Polokwane in fifth place in the standings. Stellenbosch are eighth.
With an eye on Saturday’s decider against Orlando Pirates at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, Stellenbosch rested three key players.
There were let-offs for both teams in a frantic opening three minutes.
Unmarked Stellenbosch midfielder Andre de Jong failed to pounce after a corner bounced tantalisingly close to the Polokwane post in the second minute.
Soon after that, Polokwane counter-attacked. Stellenbosch goalkeeper Oscarine Masuluke tried to gather a goalmouth cross and collided with a teammate. He lost control of the ball, but lurking Polokwane star Oswin Appollis slipped as he tried to steer the ball into an unguarded net.
Stellenbosch gained the upper hand as the fast-paced action persisted and looked more likely to score.
Stellies captain Fawaaz Basadien slipped a delightful back heel to striker Lehlogonolo Mojela out wide on the left, near the edge of the Polokwane’s penalty area, and Mojela’s shot screamed through a packed goalmouth.
Polokwane’s unsighted goalkeeper Manuel Sapunga stood motionless as the ball curled inside the far upright.
Two minutes later, Stellenbosch midfielder Devin Titus had the ball in the net, but he was judged to be offside.
It looked like the visitors had done enough to secure a first-half lead, but Thabang Matuludi scored for Polokwane after a free kick close in deflected in off the visitors’ defensive wall.
The start of the second half was a replica of the first, but this time Polokwane looked more dangerous in the final third.
Their threat grew ever greater as the hour mark approached. Stellenbosch shop-stopper Masuluke, making a rare appearance in place of the regular goalie Sage Stephens, was the busiest player on the field as he and his supporting defence dealt with Polokwane’s pressure.
Coach Steve Barker’s Stellies team absorbed the attacks and regained the initiative to pin Polokwane down in their half. However, the shot-shy Cape Winelands club were reluctant to pull the trigger in the final third.
Multiple reinforcements from the substitutes’ bench added punch to the Stellenbosch attack, but the visitors, playing well within themselves on a difficult pitch, had to settle for the 1-1 stalemate despite their 57% advantage in possession.
