Nomads Stellies make CAF Confed Cup history and bag R10m prize money

Stellenbosch FC made a mockery of their nomadic existence that forced them to play almost all home matches away this season.

Sunday afternoon was no exception when they hosted Mali visitors Stade Malien in spirited fashion at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, in a near-empty stadium and some 1500kms from their Winelands base, for their CAF Confederation Cup Group B clash.

They battled bravely to run out 2-0 winners to qualify for the quarter-final round in their maiden CAF appearance.

After taking a 2-0 halftime lead, it was never in doubt who the eventual winners would be although Stellenbosch wasted several scoring opportunities while leading the shots-on-goal count 15-6.

Stade Malien goalkeeper Solomane Coulibaly prevented further damage for the visitors after making six saves in the first half, in which the teams shared possession for most of the way.

Stellenbosch sounded an early warning when their fullback Fawaaz Basadien produced a goalmouth cross, brilliantly met with a header from New Zealand-born teammate Andre de Jong.

Coulibaly gathered the ball on the goalline to deny Stellenbosch a second-minute goal.

Towards the end of the first half, De Jong threatened again, and striker Ashley Cupido, the lone striker in the side's 4-2-3-1 playing pattern, missed a free header when he connected with a Basadien’s cross.

Stade Malien's central defender Felix Kamaté was blown up for a handball in his penalty area and Basadien stepped up with a deft chip to open the scoring in the match on the half-hour mark.

10 minutes later, Basadien was again in the picture with a smart in-swinging corner which reduced the Malian defence to ball watchers.

Stellenbosch midfielder Jayden Adams, who along with Basadien, were easily the best players on the field, rose majestically to head the ball wide of Coulibaly, allowing the 'Maroons' to double their lead.

In the second half, Stellenbosch seemed to take their foot off the pedal and allowed the Malians to enjoy a major share of the possession.

This allowed Stade Malien more chance to run at the Stellenbosch defence, who bided their time and managed several turn-overs on the fringes of their penalty area.

Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker consolidated the team's defence by making several second-half changes that saw Sanele Barns, Kyle Jurgens, Chumani Butsaka and Ibraheem Jabaar join the fray.

Thanks to their efforts the team held out for a clean sheet and a deserving place in the quarter-final round and R10.5m in prize money.

Next Sunday, Stellenbosch play their final Group B match in Morocco against RS Berkane, the Group B log leaders.

On Sunday, Berkane were strangely held to a goalless draw by Lunda Sul of Angola, although it must be said the match was a dead rubber because Berkane had already qualified for the quarters before this clash.

Even if Stellenbosch (nine points) wins in Morocco next week, they cannot overtake log-leaders Berkane (13 points).