Stellenbosch Football Club (FC) showed real teamwork in the game against Mamelodi Sundowns on 5 March, said midfielder Kyle Jurgens. This allowed the home team to break the visitors’ winning streak, said Jurgens. It also illustrated how many good players were currently in the Stellenbosch FC team, he said.
Stellenbosch FC ended Mamelodi Sundowns’ winning streak at the Danie Craven Stadium in the Premier Soccer League (PSL).
After the match between Stellenbosch FC and Mamelodi Sundowns on 5 March, the legacy of former Stellenbosch FC player, Oshwin Andries, was honoured. Here CEO of Stellenbosch FC, Rob Benadie, presents a pennant and a signed ball from the last match the late Oswhin Andries played, to his family. Andries died on 4 February 2023. PHOTO: Tapiwanashe Zaranyika
On-going rivalry
“In the last league game of [last] season we beat Sundowns 3-0 and we went with a mindset that we could do it again. It was very difficult as they were winning all the games,” said Jurgens. “But we won four games in a row, so our winning mentality was strong.”
“The expectations were very high from both ends,” said Liam Bekker, media manager of Stellenbosch FC in an interview with MatieMedia. “Mamelodi Sundowns is a giant in the continent and undeniably the best football club in South Africa, given their current spell in the PSL. Stellenbosch FC has built a very strong reputation for themselves.”
Meanwhile, sports journalist Lorenz Kohler, told MatieMedia that the game allowed Mamelodi Sundowns to “rest some key players and give some young talented players and players short of match fitness some much needed game time”.
Mamelodi Sundowns lead the table by more than 20 points in the PSL, so the draw was not a bad result for their current position in the league, according to Kohler. However, because of Mamelodi Sundowns’ lead, they will still win the PSL, said Kohler.
Mamelodi Sundowns and Stellenbosch FC faced off amid heavy rainfall. PHOTO: Tapiwanashe Zaranyika
The end of a streak
The first half of the game ended with a 0-0 score.
However, Mamelodi Sundowns’ Cassius Mailula came onto the field as a substitute in the 66th minute and scored 10 minutes later, leaving Stellenbosch FC down 1-0.
Stellenbosch FC forward Iqraam Rayners evened the score by converting a penalty in the 87th minute.
Vusi Sibiya, defender at Stellenbosch FC was crowned man of the match.
“It was great seeing a live soccer match. Stellenbosch FC’s confidence paid off as they played very well,” said Tendai Muzumala, a fan who attended the game.
Fans were not deterred by heavy rainfall when Stellenbosch FC hosted Mamelodi Sundowns at the Danie Craven Stadium on 5 March. PHOTO: Tapiwanashe Zaranyika