On Saturday afternoon, Stellenbosch FC cruised into the last 16 of the Nedbank Cup with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Swallows FC at the Athlone Stadium.
Vusi Sibiya opened the scoring for the hosts with a header from close range after getting on the end of Fawaaz Basadien’s cross.
Rayners then doubled their lead with a low curling shot from out of the box that found the bottom corner. A minute of applause was held on 25 minutes in honour of the late Oshwin Andries as Stellies controlled proceedings, with Swallows still to get into the game.
RESULTS
Stellenbosch 3-0 Swallows
BlackCross 1-2 Venda Football Academy
Golden Arrows 2-1 Pretoria Callies [AET]
Mpheni Home Defenders 3-0 ClarewoodFARPostNedbankCup pic.twitter.com/jifqwwS1PZ
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Ernst Middendorp’s troops were unable to combine going forward and went to the break two goals down and needing a massive improvement after they did not have a shot on target.
Middendorp tried to get a response at halftime by making a quadruple change that included Orlando Pirates loanee Bongani Sam, Kwanda Mngonyama, Lindokuhle Mtshali and David Uromi.
However, Swallows could not break down Stellies’ strong resistance and were punished on a transition attack just before the hour-mark after Rayners made it 3-0 with a grass-cutting shot from range into the bottom corner.
Steve Barker’s men then sat deep and waited for Swallows to come to them and, despite a late chance for Devon Titus, the Cape Winelands outfit held on to book their spot in the round of 16.