Stellenbosch FC cruised to the last 16 of the Nedbank Cup with a resounding 3-0 win over Swallows FC on Saturday afternoon.
Nedbank Cup
Result: Stellenbosch FC 3-0 Swallows FC
Date: 11 February 2023
Venue: Athlone Stadium
Stellies made four changes to the side that beat Chippa United the last time out, as goalkeeper got his first start of the season alongside recalls for Vusi Sibiya, Fawaaz Basadien and Sihle Nduli.
The Birds, meanwhile, also made a similar number of alterations following their win against Richards Bay, as shot-stopper Sanele Tshabalala got his third start of the season, tagging along the returning Pentjie Zulu, Junaid Sait and Waseem Isaacs.
Steve Barker's charges had the perfect start after Sibiya opened the scoring with a header from close range after getting on the end of Basadien's cross.
The hosts remained on the front foot and Rayners doubled their lead on 17 minutes with a low curling shot from out of the box that found the bottom corner.
There was a minute of applause on 25 minutes in honour of the late Oshwin Andries as Stellies controlled proceedings, with Swallows still to get into the game.
Ernst Middendorp's troops were not combining going forward and went to the break two goals down and needing a massive improvement after they did not have a shot on target.
Middendorp tried to get a response at halftime by making a quadruple change that included Orlando Pirates loanee Bongani Sam, Kwanda Mngonyama, Lindokuhle Mtshali and David Uromi.
Swallows could hold onto possession for longer periods but they were punished on a transition attack just before the hour-mark after Rayners made put Stellies out of sight and grabbed his brace with a grass-cutting shot from range into the bottom corner.
Stellies head caoch Steve Barker looked to consolidate their lead with a tactical change just after that as Sibongiseni Mthethwa replaced Andre de Jong to lock the game.
Barker's men sat deep and waited for Swallows to come to them and built a strong resistance that the Birds could not break down.
In fact, Stellies looked more threatening to run riot on counter-attacks in the closing stages and Devon Titus had a one-on-one chance snuffed out by second-half substitute goalkeeper Thakasani Mbanjwa as the Cape Winelands outfit booked their spot in the round of 16.
Here's how they lined up:
Stellenbosch FC: To be confirmed.
Swallows FC: Tshabalala, Damons, Sait, sasman, Zulu, Mthethwa, Isaacs, Malinga, Wambi, Allan, Rusike
Subs: Mbanjwa, Sibiya, Sam, Mngonyama, Mtshali, Uromi, Amoojee
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