Stellenbosch suffered a 2-0 loss to Stade Malien Bamako in their opening CAF Confederation Cup Group Ba match at Stade 26 Mars in Bamako on Wednesday.
The home team struck first as Haman Mandjan scored in the 15th minute, taking advantage of their strong performance from last season as runners-up in the Premier League of Mali.
Daouda Coulibaly added a second goal by converting a penalty during injury time after Devin Titus was fouled.
Coach Steve Barker opted for a revised starting XI for Stellies, who had recently drawn 1-1 with TS Galaxy in the Betway Premiership earlier this month.
Titus led the attack alongside Sanele Barns and Jabaar, while Ashley Cupido and Andre De Jong watched from the bench at the start.
In the opening 10 minutes, the two teams were evenly matched, with several scoring opportunities but no goals.
Malien took the lead in the 15th minute as Mandjan seized on a defensive mistake from Stellies. Despite several attempts, Stellies were unable to equalize, and the first half ended with Stade Malien ahead 1-0.
In the second half, Coach Barker made three substitutions right before the restart, bringing in De Jong, Langelihle Phili, and Ashley Cupido for Ibrahem Jabaar, Kyle Jurgens, and Genito Palace. Stellies won a free kick in the 55th minute courtesy of a foul on Titus.
Omega Mdaka took the free kick, but it was easily saved by Malien’s goalkeeper, N’Golo Traore. Shortly after, Malien wasted a chance to increase their lead. In the 68th minute, Jayden Adams nearly scored with a header that went off target.
Stellies kept pressing forward, with Phili making an attempt after a fantastic setup from De Jong, but Traore again made the save.
However, a defensive mistake by Stellies in stoppage time led to a penalty awarded by referee Mehrez Melki from Tunisia, which Coulibaly converted, outsmarting goalkeeper Sage Stephens and sealing the match at 2-0.
