By Michael Madyira
Iqraam Rayners’ brace claimed a 2-1 Nedbank Cup quarter-final victory for Stellenbosch at Athlone Stadium on Saturday, dumping Mamelodi Sundowns out of the tournament.
Rayners struck three minutes into the second half before scoring again on 57 minutes to lead Stellenbosch’s comeback victory over the defending champions.
Sundowns had appeared on course to victory when the hosts’ goalkeeper Lee Langeveldt scored a 39th-minute own goal.
Rayners’ double sunk the Brazilians while the Cape Winelands side reached the Nedbank Cup semi-finals for the first time ever.
Apart from suffering what could be their biggest upset of the season, it was a fourth successive match for Sundowns without tasting victory across all competitions.
For the first time since April 2021, the Brazilians have gone winless in four straight games.
Veteran goalkeeper Denis Onyango was back to start as Ronwen Williams was rested while Themba Zwane and Mothobi Mvala also returned.
Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker made a brave decision to hand 19-year-old Kyle Jurgens his debut professional start on such a big stage.
Fawaaz Basadien got an excellent chance to break the deadlock for Stellies but side-netted before Neo Maema’s curler went just wide at the other end.
Just before the half-hour mark, Shalulile’s cross went across the face of the goal with no one to turn it in.
The two teams then got separated by an unfortunate incident after Aubrey Modiba’s shot crashed against the crossbar only to bounce off Langeveldt’s heel into the back of the net.
Just after the break, Stellenbosch restored parity when Teboho Mokoena’s back pass meant for Onyango was intercepted by Rayners who finished off into an empty net.
Maema was back to try again for the Tshwane visitors and this time around drew an excellent save from Langeveldt.
But speedy Rayners again benefited from some erroneous defending by Sundowns and thrust Stellenbosch to victory by beating Onyango while under the close challenge of Grant Kekana.
Stellenbosch summoned some steely defending to thwart Sundowns’ desperate raids for the rest of the match and after the final whistle, they wildly celebrated as if they had won the tournament.
Pictured above: Stellenbosch players celebrating
Image source: Stellenbosch FC
