Stellenbosch head coach Gavin Hunt declared that their 1-1 draw against Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday was a result of ‘boxing clever’.
Hunt opted to start without a recognised striker against the Brazilians, with Chumani Butsaka deployed in an advanced role ahead of Devin Titus, Thapelo Mokobodi and Langelihle Phili.
Bafana Ba Style had 75 per cent of the possession, but they didn’t dominate where it mattered after creating nine chances to the Maroons’ seven.
Tsiki Ntsabeleng broke the deadlock with a composed finish on 27 minutes, although Tshegofatso Mabasa eventually responded for the visitors from the penalty spot in the 86th minute to deny Masandawana an 11th consecutive win in the Betway Premiership.
Hunt admitted he had to try something different against Sundowns and was pleased to see that his game-plan paid off.
“Fantastic performance from us. We came here with a plan, wanted to play with no strikers, and sat in a block, and yet I thought we had the best chances in the game,” Hunt said.
“Devin and Omega [Mdaka] had chances to score, and even when the game went to 1-0 [to Sundowns], I always knew that we could get back in it and that we would get a chance.
“We could even have won it at the end, which was a bit frustrating, but nobody gave us a chance, so it was a fantastic performance.
“I think our goalkeeper had one save to make during the whole game, which, as the away team, is really good. We deserved what we got. They had the ball, but the stats will tell you they had nine chances to our seven.
“What does that tell you? Football is not about everyone playing the same way and trying to do the same thing. We’ve got to box clever against a really big and strong team.”
