Big Match Feature: Sundowns v Stellenbosch
Mamelodi Sundowns and Stellenbosch FC are set to clash in the highly anticipated first leg of the MTN8 semifinal on Wednesday, marking their inaugural encounter in this prestigious tournament. The showdown, scheduled for 7 PM CAT and broadcast live on SuperSport, promises to be a thrilling contest between two sides with a rich history of competitive matchups.
Historically, these teams have locked horns three times in cup competitions, all within the Nedbank Cup. Sundowns emerged victorious in two of these encounters, while Stellenbosch claimed one win. This upcoming MTN8 semifinal marks their third consecutive season meeting in a cup competition and their second in a semifinal, underscoring the growing rivalry between these two teams.
The broader competitive landscape reveals that this will be the 14th time Mamelodi Sundowns and Stellenbosch meet across all competitions, including ten prior league meetings. Sundowns have largely dominated this fixture, securing nine wins, compared to Stellenbosch’s two victories, with two matches ending in draws. Across these encounters, a total of 37 goals have been scored, with Sundowns netting 24 and Stellenbosch contributing 13.
Their first-ever cup clash dates back to the 2020-21 season in the Nedbank Cup Round of 32. On that occasion, Stellenbosch took an early lead through Ashley Du Preez, but Sundowns responded with goals from Peter Shalulile and Gaston Sirino, eventually winning 3-2 after extra time. The teams met again in the Nedbank Cup quarterfinals during the 2022-23 season, where Stellenbosch turned the tables with a 2-1 victory, thanks to a brace from Iqraam Rayners.
Their most recent cup encounter occurred in the 2023-24 Nedbank Cup semifinals. Mamelodi Sundowns secured a 2-1 win with goals from Khuliso Mudau and Thembinkosi Lorch, further solidifying their dominance in this fixture. In the league, Sundowns also demonstrated their superiority last season, completing a double over Stellenbosch with a 3-1 home win and a 1-0 away victory.
Sundowns have hosted Stellenbosch six times across all competitions, winning five of those encounters. Stellenbosch’s sole victory at Sundowns’ home came in the 2021-22 league season, where they shocked the hosts with a 3-0 win. Notably, Sundowns have never played a goalless draw against Stellenbosch at home, and they have consistently found the back of the net in 12 of their 13 matches against the Cape-based side.
Individually, Peter Shalulile has been a standout performer in this fixture, netting five goals across four different games against Stellenbosch. His contributions have been pivotal, with Sundowns winning each time he has scored against their upcoming opponents. Iqraam Rayners, now a part of the Sundowns squad, also boasts a strong record against Stellenbosch, with three goals to his name in this fixture.
As the teams prepare for this MTN8 semifinal clash, all eyes will be on Sundowns to see if they can continue their dominance, or if Stellenbosch can defy the odds once more and carve out a memorable victory. Given their history of high-scoring games, fans can expect another action-packed encounter as these two teams battle it out for a place in the final.
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