Phili strikes late as Stellenbosch edge AmaZulu in extra-time thriller

Langelihle Phili came off the bench to haunt his former club and seal Stellenbosch’s place in the MTN8 semi-finals with a 3-2 extra-time victory over AmaZulu at the DHL Stadium on Sunday.

The 20-year-old winger, a product of the Usuthu academy, emerged as the hero deep into extra-time after the tie had finished 2-2 in regulation. With both sides locked in an intense back-and-forth battle, it was Phili’s powerful finish in the 108th minute that proved decisive.

AmaZulu, featuring several new faces after a squad overhaul, struck first through debutant Keagan Allen in the 19th minute. 

The former Moroka Swallows centre-back capitalised on a lapse in concentration from the hosts, staying alert after a set-piece. A clever pass from defensive partner Sandile Mthethwa found Allen unmarked, and he bundled the ball past Sage Stephens to open his account.

But Stellenbosch responded swiftly. Just seven minutes later, Bafana Bafana winger Devin Titus broke down the right and showed excellent composure to square for Sanele Barns, who tapped in from close range to level matters.

The match had all the ingredients of a true MTN8 clash — edge, energy, and end-to-end transitions. Usuthu, under Arthur Zwane, handed starts to two new signings in Allen and Ryan Moon. But their plans were disrupted midway through the first half when goalkeeper Richard Ofori was stretchered off following a collision with Barns.

Despite dominating possession, Stellies struggled to find the cutting edge in the opening stanza. Steve Barker’s men repeatedly breached the final third but lacked execution to convert their territorial advantage into goals.

In the second half, AmaZulu upped their tempo and wrestled more control in midfield. However, that resistance cracked in the 69th minute. Barns, a persistent menace throughout, completed his brace in style. 

This time, he struck from a free kick, curling the ball beautifully around the wall and past substitute goalkeeper Olwethu Mzimela.

The visitors, however, were not done. Just four minutes later, AmaZulu equalised again — this time through 22-year-old academy graduate Tebogo Mashigo. 

The young attacker showed great awareness inside the box, latching onto a loose ball before firing a deflected effort that looped over Stephens to make it 2-2.

Stellenbosch pushed for a late winner in regulation, but AmaZulu held firm, forcing the game into extra time. With tired legs and both teams showing signs of fatigue, it was always going to take a moment of individual brilliance or composure to separate the sides — and Phili delivered exactly that. 

The winger, introduced late in the second half, found himself in space and fired a riproaring shot to beat Mzimela and send the home crowd into celebration.

Stellenbosch now join Orlando Pirates and Sekhukhune United in the last four of the MTN8, with the final quarter-final tie set to determine the last semi-finalist. For Usuthu, it’s a bitter blow — but signs of promise under Zwane remain.

SCORES

Stellenbosch FC (1) 3 

Barns 26, 69, Phili 108

AmaZulu FC (1) 2 

Allen 19, Mashigo 73