Iqraam Rayners struck a brace as Stellenbosch advanced to the Nedbank Cup semifinals after a 2-1 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns at the Athlone stadium.
An unfortunate own goal by home goalkeeper Lee Langeveldt had given Masandawana a halftime lead but Rayners netted twice within the space of nine minutes after the interval to put Stellies into the last four of the cup.
Sundowns came into the contest still on track to win a treble of trophies having already wrapped up the league title and also still in with a shout in the Caf Champions League.
The visitors, as expected, had more of the ball in the opening exchanges without really testing Langeveldt in the Stellies goal.
Sundowns did however take the lead six minutes before the halftime break when a fierce shot by Aubrey Modiba struck the cross-bar but the ball ricocheted into the back of the net from a sprawling Langeveldt.
He can't stop scoring 🔥pic.twitter.com/lmyUZuNmg4
— Stellenbosch FC (@StellenboschFC) April 15, 2023
The hosts looked a different team after the interval and were rewarded almost immediately when Rayners pounced on a errant back pass by Teboho Mokoena to slot past Denis Onyango.
Sundowns made another costly defensive error in the 57th minute when Mothobi Mvala’s back pass fell into the path of Rayners and the forward gleefully accepted the opportunity.
The defending champions thew everything forward in the dying stages to equalise and take the game into extra-time but Langeveldt was on hand to atone for his earlier misfortune.
