Kaizer Chiefs duo Mfundo Vilakazi and Ashley du Preez were on target for the Carling All-Stars, who defeated Stellenbosch FC 2-1 in the Carling Cup on Saturday afternoon.
Carling Cup
Re:sult Stellenbosch FC 1-2 Carling All-Stars
Date: 06 January 2023
Venue: Peter Mokaba Stadium
Stellies made five changes to the side that beat Orlando Pirates in their last league game of 2023, as Andre de Jong, Antonio Van Wyk, Nhlanhla Mgaga, Athenkosi Mcaba and Fawaaz Basadien were brought in. The All Stars XI had five players from the DStv Diski Challenge, with their attack led by Ashley Du Preez and Victor Letsoalo.
The game got off to a quick start as Van Wyk came close to grabbing an early lead after going through at the near post but his shot was saved by goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune.
In rainy conditions, the All Stars team took the lead with only four minutes on the clock after shot-stopper Sage Stephens fumbled a free-kick Mfundo Vilakazi, which bounced just in front of him.
Stellies were caught on a counter-attack 12 minutes later after Ashley Du Preez doubled the lead for the All Stars team from the penalty spot after he was pushed down in the box, having made a run from the centre circle.
There were some nervy moments for Khune towards the half-hour mark but Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper redeemed himself just before the interval after he tipped Devon Titus' dipping header over the crossbar and made another close-range save moments later.
The All Stars team was forced into a change ten minutes into the second stanza as Riveiro brought on his club player Thembinkosi Lorch in place of the injured Letsoalo.
Things got worse for the Carling Knockout champions after they were reduced to ten men just after the hour-mark following the red-card of Mcaba, who was sent off for a flying tackle on Jabulani Mokone.
Stellies could not get momentum going forward but with 20 minutes left, Basadien almost pulled a goal back with a clever free-kick that brought the best out of Khune at the near post.
Stellenbosch opened up at the back in the closing stages and Vilakazi had big chance in the dying minutes after breaking through on goal but could not beat Stephens.
The Western Cape side kept on coming and Mervin Boji eventually reduced the deficit with a strike unmarked in the box from a cut-back. However, it was too little too late for Stellies, as All Stars were crowned champions.
Here's how they lined up:
Stellenbosch: Stephens, Mcaba, Basadien, Van Rooyen, Nduli, Moloisane, Mgaga, De Jong, Van Wyk, Titus, Rayners
Subs: Langeveldt, Jurgens, Sibande, De Kock, Matsheke, Sekgota, Palace, Mini, Boji, Masuluke
Carling All-Stars: Khune, Ngidi, Ndah, Mphahlelele, Mokone, Vilakazi, Castillo, Zikhali, Mnguni, Erasmus, Du Preez
Subs: Monyepao, Chaine, Madiba, Ngcobo, Mako, Frosler, Ndlondlo, Mabaso, Lorch, Shabalala, Letsoalo, Mkhwawana
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