Thabang Sibanyoni of Magesi celebartes scoring against Stellenbosch.
Image: Backpagepix
The pressure of balancing domestic and continental fixtures, coupled with national team call-ups, has taken its toll on Stellenbosch FC.
On Saturday evening, Magesi's Thabang Sibyanyoni snatched a breakaway goal with 21 minutes left, to give his side a 1-0 win at the Seshego Stadium, after Stellenbosch had dominated much of the game. Stellenbosch decided to rest key defender Fawaaz Basadien, who had just returned from international duty with Bafana Bafana. He started and finished both international matches, contributing to clean sheets and an assist.
Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker felt Basadien badly needed a rest and did not select him for the Seshego Stadium outing. More importantly, Barker felt Basadien needed to be in peak condition for the CAF Confederation Cup match against Zamalek of Egypt in the first leg of their quarter-final tie, on Wednesday, at the Cape Town Stadium.
Despite the absence of their best player, Stellenbosch dominated but could not penetrate the stubborn Magesi defence, well marshalled by Zimbabwean goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze, who played another blinder. Barker felt his team deserved a share of the spoils rather than return home empty-handed.
"I am obviously disappointed. That's the feeling I have. I don't think we deserved to walk away losing the game," said Barker.
"I think, at a minimum, we deserved to get a point from it. It’s a small pitch, a bumpy pitch, and Magesi plays an uncomfortable type of game. They wait for the few chances that come their way.
"Unfortunately, we gave them one opportunity, which they took. We created, obviously, far more opportunities, especially in the first half, when there were a couple of big saves from (Elvis) Chipezeze.
"I knew it would be uncomfortable here at Seshego Stadium. We had to adapt to the conditions, maybe a little bit better. But I thought in the first half we were fine. And even in the second half, up until the goal, it didn't look like they were going to be able to get anything from this match."
The result ended a run of four successive away wins for Stellenbosch, who now turn their attention to the Zamalek clash.
"We need to get over this defeat because we have a big match coming up, and obviously there is still a lot more to play for in the league," said Barker.
Stellenbosch want to make their mark on the continent through their maiden Confederation Cup appearance. After Wednesday's first-leg quarter-final clash, the return leg will follow a week later - also on a Wednesday – at the Cairo International Stadium.