Stellenbosch thrashed TS Galaxy 6-3 to secure their spot in the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals on Sunday afternoon.
Nedbank Cup
Result: TS Galaxy 3-6 Stellenbosch FC
Date: 12 March 2023
Venue: Mbombela Stadium
Stellies made two changes to the side that ended Mameodi Sundowns' 15-game winning run, as goalkeeper Lee Langeveldt got only his second start of the season in cup competitions alongside a recall for Andre De Jong.
Galaxy on the other hand, made three adjustments from their draw against Marumo Gallants, as MacBeth Mahlangu, Orebotse Mongae and Kamogelo Sebelebele were brought back.
The visitors had a perfect start after Devon Titus fired them ahead three minutes from the first whistle with a volleyed shot after he played himself through on goal with a dink over the defence.
Sead Ramovic's charges increased the intensity of their attacks and kept Langeveldt busy but only levelled matters towards the end of the first stanza after Yaimil Rodriguez converted a penalty after Olwethu Makhanya kicked Mongae in the box.
There was a further twist on the stroke of half-time as Steve Barker's men were also awarded a penalty after Junior Mendieta was brought down in the box and Rayners made no mistake from 12-yards, as he restored their lead.
Galaxy pushed numbers going forward early in the second stanza and they were punished just before the hour-mark as De Jong gave the visitors a two-goal cushion with a close-range finish at the back post.
The Rockets had a good chance to reduce the deficit but they did not take them and they paid the price again on a transition seven minutes later as Mendieta made it 4-1 for Stellies with a low drive towards the bottom post after he was teed up by Rayners in the box.
The home side still had time to try to get back into the game as they made a double change in the last 15 minutes to inject creativity in midfield and in attack, as Xola Mlambo and Lifa Hongwane entered the fray.
Ramovic's troops pinned back Stellies in their own half and they had a lifeline two minutes before time with a penalty in their favour after Makhanya brought down Mongae again in the box. Masilake Phohlongo got a second goal back for Galaxy with a thumping effort from 12-yards.
However, The Rockets were cut open again from a counter-attack just a minute later, as Rayners raced clear on goal and put the result for Stellies beyond doubt and completed his brace.
Sebelebele pulled a third goal back for Galaxy in stoppage time and but the hosts capitulated once more, as Ibraheem Jabaar added a sixth goal for the Cape Winelands outfit who ran riot to the quarter-finals.
Here's how they lined up:
TS Galaxy: Kolak, M.Mahlangu, Msimango, Sanoka, Nyama, Mbunjana, Parker, Medina Rodriguez, Mongae, S.Mahlangu, Sebelebele
Subs: Van der Linde, Mlambo, Seedat, Hlongwane, Mathekgane, Phohlongo, Seema, Radebe
Stellenbosch: Langeveldt, Makhanya, Basadien, Van Rooyen, Mthethwa, Mendieta, Sibiya, Jabaar, De Jong, Titus, Rayners
Subs: Stephens, Mgaga, Sibande, Mngomezulu, Mcaba, Adams, Boji, Van Wyk
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