By Kopano Dibakwane
TS Galaxy watched in dismay as Stellenbosch Football Club lifted the Carling Knockout Cup following a nail-biting penalty shootout at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday 16 December.
Stellenbosch applied pressure from the start of the match and looked set to shock Galaxy with an early goal, but the Mpumalanga team took the lead after Lehlogonolo Mojela caught the opponent’s defence napping and scored from a stunning volley in the 42nd minute, which saw Stellenbosch FC slowing down their fast-paced approach.
Galaxy goalkeeper, Fiacre Ntwari, made numerous saves in the opening minutes of the second half when Stellies looked ready to level the score, but his efforts were finally undermined by Ismael Toure, who scored the crucial equaliser for Stellenbosch in the 72nd minute.
Both teams played to a 1-1 draw that led to a penalty shootout whereby Mojela missed the crucial penalty in the sudden death phase, while former Kaizer Chiefs player Darrel Matsheke scored the last penalty to handover the Carling Cup to Stellies on a silver platter.
Galaxy went into the game with the full support of the province and Mpumalanga Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, who released a statement to wish the team well prior to kick-off.
