Hunt hails performance as Stellenbosch hold champions

Stellenbosch were deserved of their draw at champions Mamelodi Sundowns, and could have come away with a shock win, said coach Gavin Hunt after Wednesday’s 1-1 draw.

He hailed the performance of his side, who were behind at halftime but pulled off a late equaliser when they won an 86th-minute penalty.

86' – 𝗚𝗢𝗔𝗟! – Mabasa's penalty is saved, but he's quickest to the rebound to level the scores!

Mamelodi Sundowns 1⃣-1⃣ Stellenbosch FC#HeartoftheCape #MoreThanFootball #StellenboschFC 🍇 pic.twitter.com/Wl8fozw2uc — Stellenbosch FC (@StellenboschFC) April 22, 2026

“It was a fantastic performance from us. We had a plan. We played with no strikers and we sat in a block,” explained Hunt.

“I thought we had the best chances of the game,” he added, despite the fact Stellenbosch were 1-0 down at halftime.

“The longer the game went on, I always knew we'd get back in it. We'd always get a chance, and we did, and we could have won it in the end, which was a bit frustrating, but you know, nobody gave us a chance, so fantastic performance from some of the kids and young ones.”

Hunt said going toe-to-toe with Sundowns would have been a foolish approach.

“If you're going to go onto them, they'll pick you off. So we looked to create space by giving them space, and then we'll go into the space. I thought what we tried to do was perfect and I think we deserve what we got here, you know? I mean, they had the ball, but I think they had nine chances we had seven. The stats will tell you. I think we have the same corners, and so what does it tell you? You know, football's not about everybody playing the same way and trying to do the same thing.

“Football's all about distances. If you control the distances in football, you can win football matches. If you don't control your distances, you've got no chance, it doesn't matter who you are. And then you’ve got to have the quality.

“We had to box clever because we played against a really, really big side,” Hunt added.

“They are a fantastic club, and they won the league now seven, eight years in a row. They're right there again, they're in the Champions League final, fantastic football club. They put their money with their mouths. They go out and they acquire big players, and you've got to give them credit. I'm sure they'll win the Champions League this year.”