Stellies stun stuttering Sundowns to set up date with Orlando Pirates in final of the MTN8

Durban continued being a happy hunting ground for Stellenbosch FC who stunned Mamelodi Sundowns here to set up a date with Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 final on 5 October. 

The Cape winelands' side beat Sundowns 1-0 here with a goal from Lehlohonolo Mojela, completing back-to-back wins over the Brazilians who they beat 2-0 on aggregate after defeating them with the same score line in the first leg in Pretoria. 

This will be Stellies' second final in two seasons after going all the way in the Carling Knockout in the last campaign, beating TS Galaxy at this venue in the final.

The Cape side defeated Richards Bay in Umlazi in the semi-final of the Carling Knockout en-route to winning the club's first major trophy. 

Steve Barker, who grew up in the city, urged Durbanites who support other clubs to come in their numbers and rally behind Stellies against Sundowns.

He even joked that if they backed the club, he would put in a good word for it to also host the final. 

The home crowd obliged, with thousands of Durbanites – especially fans of Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates – loudly and passionately backing Stellies. 

Stellies' every attack was met with loud roars – making the club to truly feel at home in their alternative venue as Danie Craven Stadium is undergoing pitch maintenance. 

Barker asked the club's management to use Moses Mabhida Stadium for their home games, arguing that since Nsingizini Hotspurs took them here for their preliminary CAF Confederation Cup match – they might as well use it for their return leg against eSwatini, and also host the Brazilians as they would be more familiar with the pitch. 

That familiarity with the pitch – coupled with their tenacious pressing game and lightning fast counter-attack – made