Stoppage-time penalty earns Singida Black Stars SC a draw against Stellenbosch FC

Tanzanian Premier League outfit Singida Black Stars SC secured a share of the spoils in a 1-1 stalemate against Stellenbosch FC in a CAF Confederation Cup Group C encounter on Sunday evening.

The visiting Stellenbosch seemed headed for a 1-0 victory at the Amani Stadium in Zanzibar, Tanzania, but Stars converted a stoppage-time penalty to rescue a point.

Stellenbosch were under pressure for much of the first half, reflected by their paltry 32% possession. They posed hardly any threat and failed to register a shot on goal.

The Tanzanian team, mentored by Argentine football manager Miguel Gamondi, made several attempts to penetrate the final third but were unsuccessful. Gamondi spent several years in South Africa coaching Mamelodi Sundowns and Platinum Stars.

As one ommentator noted, Stars "huffed and puffed" for most of the first half, but the Winelands visitors absorbed the pressure. By half-time, Stars had managed nine shots at goal, but only two were on target.

Stellenbosch endured a fair bit of niggling. In the dying stages of the first half, the visitors’ patience wore thin and they retaliated when Stars’ Nigerian goalkeeper Amas Obasogie elbowed defensive midfielder Genino Palace just ahead of a corner. Despite Stars’ dirty play, the referee only yellow-carded Stellenbosch central defender Thato Khiba in the opening stanza.

Seven minutes into the second half, Stellenbosch turned the match on its head after a brilliant solo effort from midfielder Langelihle Phili on the left flank.

After latching onto a pass from striker Ashley Cupido, Phili ran determinedly from 10 metres inside Stars’ half. He worked his way past four defenders before rifling a pile-driver into the roof of the net to put Stellenbosch 1-0 up. It was the visitors’ first shot on goal after almost an hour of play.

Stars continued to dominate possession and threatened several times without success. Around the hour mark, Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker looked to consolidate the team’s position and made three changes: Khiba made way for Chumani Butsaka, Andre de Jong replaced Cupido, and scorer Phili was substituted for Khomotjo Lekoloane.

Just when it appeared that Stellenbosch would withstand the late pressure, Stars were awarded a questionable penalty, which Togolese substitute Marouf Tchakei converted to secure the hosts a draw.