Stellenbosch sank to a 3-1 defeat in their Caf Confederation Cup tie against Morrocan outfit RS Berkane at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Sunday.
The two-time Caf Confederation Cup winners controlled proceedings from the first whistle as the side from the Cape winelands slumped to their second defeat in the competition.
Youssef Zghoudi opened the scoring in just the fifth minute with an accurate header from the far post that evaded Stellenbosch gloveman Sage Stephens.
The visitors struck again with a well weighted free kick that found that man Zghoudi who powered the ball into Ismael Toure and found his second goal in just 15 minutes.
RS Berkane stayed well in control until the break.
A lacklustre second stanza finally sparked to like following a late wonder strike from substitute Reda Hajji. In space in the middle of the mark, Hajji took a couple of touches and let loose from all of 30 yards out, just clearing a valiant effort from Stephens and dipping below the crossbar to make it 3-0 with seven minutes to play.
Stellenbosch scored a well-earned consolation goal in the dying embers. Attackers got in behind the Berkane defence and Chumani Butsaka got on the end of a superb cut-back to fire a powerful shot goalward that clipped a defender but was only ever going to find the back of the net.
