Stellenbosch FC faces setback in Confederation Cup match against Mali
Stellenbosch suffered a 2-0 loss to Stade Malien Bamako in their inaugural CAF Confederation Cup Group Ba encounter at Stade 26 Mars in Bamako on Wednesday.
Haman Mandjan scored the first goal for the hosts in the 15th minute, with Malien finishing as the Premier League runners-up in Mali last season.
The second goal came from Daouda Coulibaly, who converted a penalty during the referee’s added time after Devin Titus was fouled.
Coach Steve Barker implemented several alterations to the Stellies lineup that drew 1-1 with TS Galaxy earlier this month in the Betway Premiership.
Titus led the attack alongside Sanele Barns and Jabaar, while Ashley Cupido and Andre De Jong began the match on the bench.
In the initial 10 minutes, both sides were evenly matched, generating chances but unable to convert.
Malien broke the deadlock in the 15th minute with a goal from Mandjan, capitalizing on a defensive mistake from Stellies. Despite multiple chances thereafter, Stellies failed to score, and the first half ended with Stade Malien ahead 1-0.
During the second half, Coach Barker made three substitutions before the restart, introducing De Jong, Langelihle Phili, and Ashley Cupido for Ibrahem Jabaar, Kyle Jurgens, and Genito Palace. Stellies were awarded a free kick in the 55th minute after a foul on midfielder Titus.
Omega Mdaka took the free kick, but Malien’s goalkeeper N’Golo Traore comfortably saved the shot. Almost right after, Malien had a clear opportunity but failed to score. In the 68th minute, Jayden Adams came close to netting a spectacular goal, but his header went wide.
Stellies kept pushing, with Phili taking a shot after a brilliant setup by De Jong, only for it to be saved by Traore.
However, a defensive mistake by Stellies in added time led to a penalty awarded by referee Mehrez Melki from Tunisia, which Coulibaly converted, deceiving goalkeeper Sage Stephens and sealing the match at 2-0.