Stellenbosch got their CAF Confederation Cup campaign off to a winning start following a gritty 1-0 win against Otoho in Group C at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Just as it seemed as though the game was heading toward a frustrating 0-0 draw, second-half substitute Ashley Cupido popped up in the right place and the right time to give his side maximum points on home soil.
The game kicked off to a timid pace at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium, with both sides looking to settle on the ball inside the first 10 minutes. There was little to separate Stellies and Otoho in the opening quarter, while the home side edged the possession count slightly.
Otoho grew into the game leading up to the 30th minute mark and often breached the Stellies backline albeit with minimal success. The Congolese outfit continued to probe in the middle of the park, with Stellies looking to absorb pressure.
The travelling side continued to see more of the ball toward the end of the half but often fell short in the attacking third of the pitch. As for Stellies, the Cape Winelands side sat back and created little forward momentum.
With the referee pointing toward the tunnel, the game ended 0-0 at the break.
It was more of the same for Otoho after the restart but once again struggled to make the most of their forward movements. At the other end of the pitch, Stellenbosch often searched for opportunities in transition as a result of Otoho’s sustained periods of possession.
Stellenbosch came close to opening the scoring in the 68th after Turan Manafov forced a stretching save out of goalkeeper Aboubacar Doumbia via a powerful shot from range. The left-back’s attempt injected a sense of urgency into the Stellenbosch attack as they upped the ante toward the 75th minute mark.
The hosts put Otoho under much pressure during the closing stages of the match and looked threatening from set-piece situations.
Then, in what was among the last kicks of the match, Cupido broke the deadlock deep into stoppage time. After a period of play on the edge of the Otoho box, Cupido latched onto a well-weighted through ball into the area before toe poking the ball home at the near post.
Stellenbosch: (0) 1 (Cupido 90+2’)
Otoho: 0
Stellenbosch: Stephens, Manafov, Mcaba (Palace 77’), Moloisane, Godswill, Jabaar (Khiba 65’), Mthiyane, Mokobodi, Titus (Langelihle 77’), Lekoloane (Barns 65’), Khanyi (Cupido 65’)
Otoho: Doumbia, Bowamba, Obembi, Atipo, Mouandza, Traore, Nongo (Camara 92’), Mampembe (Mavoungou 74’), Elenga, Diallo, Kone (Ipamy 74’)