Magesi FC and Stellenbosch FC share the spoils in Seshego Premiership stalemate

Magesi FC and Stellenbosch FC dished out an action-packed 1-1 stalemate at a chilly Seshego Stadium — a result both sides would likely have welcomed.

The home side, having also drawn their opening match of the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season, found the net for the first time after a goalless draw with Polokwane City at the weekend.

Steve Barker’s Stellies, on the other hand, collected their maiden point of the season, though the coach would surely have preferred to claim maximum points — especially to build momentum ahead of this weekend’s MTN8 semi-final first leg against Sekhukhune United. A win would certainly have lifted spirits in the Stellies camp.

Instead, they were somewhat fortunate to escape Seshego with a point, as Magesi threw everything — including the proverbial kitchen sink — at them late in the game. The hosts had a penalty shout waved away towards the end after a push on striker Kgomotso Mosadi, who won the Man of the Match award for a second consecutive game.

The second half was marked by a flurry of substitutions from both teams as they searched for a winner, but it was in vain — neither net bulged after the break.

The best chance of the second half fell to Stellies, with Sanele Barns forcing a strong block from Elvis Chipezeze after letting fly through a crowded box.

It was honours even at half-time — this match being the only one of five on the day that produced any goals.

Stellenbosch were first to draw blood in the 19th minute through Langelihle Phili. A clever attack down the left saw Andre de Jong thread a perfect through-ball to Phili, who timed his run to stay onside. With two defenders on his heels, Mzwandile Buthelezi expected him to cut inside, but the nippy attacker showed great footwork to send the Magesi defender the wrong way, before cutting outside and smashing a left-footed shot past the flailing Chipezeze into the far corner.

Magesi were quick to respond. A powerful downward header by Mosadi from a corner saw goalkeeper Sage Stephens attempt to keep it out, but the veteran only succeeded in helping it into the net with his knee.

Stephens had earlier kept his side in the game with a superb save in the 10th minute to deny Mncedi Vandala after a brilliant long ball played him into the box. He was called into action again shortly after Phili’s opener, as Magesi pressed for an immediate equaliser.

Just before the break, the hosts had a golden chance to take the lead from a free-kick on the edge of the box, but Vandala blasted it into the wall and Mosadi skewed the rebound wide.