Stellenbosch Football Club’s remarkable maiden CAF Confederation Cup campaign will extend to the semi-final stage this weekend, after the Winelands team eliminated defending champions Zamalek SC of Egypt in the quarter-finals last Wednesday (9 April).
Held to a goalless draw in Cape Town at the start of the month, Stellies travelled to Cairo for the return leg of the quarter-final clash and emerged victorious, after Sihle Nduli scored the decisive goal to earn his side a famous 1-0 aggregate victory.
The result saw Stellenbosch – competing as tournament debutants – reach the last four of the competition, at the first time of asking. They are now set to take on the challenge of African giants Simba SC of Tanzania.
Steve Barker’s side will travel to Zanzibar for the first leg on Sunday (20 April), before returning to South Africa to play the second leg in Durban the following weekend. The fixture will be played outside of the Western Cape due to the unavailability of stadia on the dates in question.
Stellenbosch FC’s impressive on-field performances have also caught the eyes of South Africa’s national team selectors, who have called up four Stellies players to represent the country at the upcoming CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
Faiz Abrahams, Langelihlie Phili, and Jamestown-born Tylon Smith, as well as youth goalkeeper coach Morne Crumpton, will all travel to North Africa where they will be hoping to help South Africa claim continental glory from 27 April to 8 May.
