Stellenbosch FC make history after audacious night in Cairo to book first-ever CAF semi-final

Stellenbosch FC have etched their name into the record books after the Western Cape side booked their place in a first-ever CAF Confederation Cup semi-final with a historic 1-0 victory over Egyptian giants Zamalek on an intoxicating Wednesday evening at the Cairo International Stadium.

Steve Barker’s team dumped the defending champions out on their home turf, courtesy of a finely taken goal from Sihle Nduli, who crashed home Lesiba Nku’s pass high into the Zamalek net to send the entire Stellies team streaming towards the corner flag in celebration of the club’s most famous goal.

Stellenbosch will now face Tanzanian side Simba FC, who is coached by South African Fadlu Davids, in the semi-finals.

It seems absurd to think now that South African clubs were once deeply reluctant participants in the African club competitions.

Orlando Pirates were the sole pioneers, having won the CAF Champions League way back in 1995, before Mamelodi Sundowns added their continental star in 2016. 

Since then, teams from the southern-most tip of the continent have regularly advanced to the business end of both the Champions League and Confederation Cup, with Sundowns and Pirates again advancing to the Champions League semi-finals this year. 

Barker’s continental rookies can now also sit at that elite dining table after booking their CAF Confederation Cup semi-final place. 

The match was always going to be an extraordinary occasion for Stellenbosch FC, and the marauders in maroon fittingly raised their game.

Even though the Cairo Stadium was not brimming to capacity due to restrictions placed on their hosts because of previous unruly fan behaviour, there was enough fanatical support for the White Knights behind Sage Stephens’ goal in the second half to have Stellies know they were very far from home.

Stellenbosch began the game with fervour, armed with the knowledge that a solitary away goal would require Zamalek to score twice as many. 

The visitors nearly caught their more fancied opponents on the back foot when they managed to create an early opportunity after a tireless Ashley Cupido, who led the Stellies line gallantly on his own for more than an hour, went on a lung-busting run down the right touchline. 

Cupido cut the ball back inside to find Devon Titus, who passed it on to an unmarked Andre de Jong on the edge of the Zamalek penalty area.

Unfortunately for Stellies, their leading scorer in the competition was leaning back too far upon impact, and the ball sailed comfortably over Mohamed Moussa’s crossbar. 

From thereon, the Egyptians took control of the ball and dominated possession as the first half went on.

However, without their inspirational midfielder Zizo, who had sensationally been left out of the match-day squad pending suspicion that the Egyptian international has signed a pre-contract with arch-rivals Al Ahly, they were unable to deliver that incisive pass to carve open a well-marshalled Stellies defence.

At that point, Stellies were content to absorb the pressure, but would have been relieved when the halftime whistle was blown to re-evaluate their tactics.

Barker had shown in the first leg in Cape Town last week that he need not stand back to his more illustrious counterpart Jose Peseiro as the Stellies tactician rang the changes at the interval by hauling off Titus and Genino Palace for Chumani Butsaka and Nku.

The duo’s introduction injected space down the right flank for Stellies, which created extra space for the visitors to string some passes together. 

It proved to be a masterstroke from Barker as the Stellies goal was orchestrated in this fashion, with Nku’s pass finding the unmarked Nduli in the Zamalek area.

The goal doused any fire Zamalek may still have in their bellies as Stellies went on to celebrate a famous night in the land of pyramids and pharaohs.