Stellenbosch FC suffered their first defeat in the CAF Confederation Cup, going down 2-0 to Stade Malien in their Group B opener on Wednesday evening at the Stade de 26 Mars in Mali.
Midfielder Haman Mandjan netted for the hosts in the 15th minute, then Daouda Coulibaly converted a penalty in stoppage time. The fan turnout was low, and the temperatures were high as the teams had water breaks during the match.
The 2023/24 Carling Knockout Cup champions are competing in the inter-club continental competition for the first time this campaign. The Stellies sealed their Confed Cup qualification after they finished third on the league log standings last season.
Below are the talking points as the Stellies dropped three points in Mali.
STELLENBOSCH FC’S RECORD IN THE CONFEDERATION CUP
In the previous four matches they have played in the preliminary rounds, Stellenbosch were impressive registering three victories and a draw. Also they were ruthless and clinical in front of goal, whilst solid and firm at the back.
In the first preliminary round, the Capetonians defeated Eswatini side Nsingizini Hotspurs 8-0 on aggregate. DR Congo side AS Vita Club were eliminated in the second preliminary round after a 3-1 scoreline on aggregate by the Betway Premiership side.
ISMAIL TOURE, LEHLOHONOLO MOJELA AND FAWAAZ BASADIEN WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR STELLENBOSCH
The trio of Ismail Toure, Lehlohonolo Mojela and Fawaaz Basadien didn’t feature for Stellies. Toure was serving a one-match suspension after he was sent off against AS Vita Club in the second preliminary round in the second-leg.
Mojela is still recovering from an ankle injury he picked up late in October. As for Bafana Bafana defender Basadien, he didn’t travel with the team due to personal issues he had to attend to.
GROUP B LOG STANDINGS
The loss left the Cape Town outfit sitting at the bottom of Group B after one match with zero points. Other teams in the group, Morocco’s RS Burkane and Angolan side Lunda Sul, will lock horns later on Wednesday evening at Stade Municipal de Berkane in Morocco.
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