Stellenbosch FC continued their unbeaten run in the DStv Premiership after claiming a narrow 1-0 victory over Kaizer Chiefs at the FNB Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.
Stuart Baxter made two changes from his side that beat SuperSport United 2-1 in their last DStv Premiership match as Cole Alexander replaced Anthony Akumu, while Austin Dube made way for Daniel Cardoso.
Amakhosi had two chances to take the lead between the seventh and eighth minute but Daniel Cardoso and Bernard Parker were both denied by Sage Stephens.
Ashley Du Preez should have given Stellies the lead in the 17th minute but his shot at goal failed to trouble Amakhosi goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi.
Akpeyi came to his sides rescue just after the half-hour mark when he produced a one-handed save to deny Junior Mendieta’s shot at goal.
Stellies eventually broke the deadlock in the 38th minute when Du Preez unleashed a shot from distance to find the back of the net to hand his side a 1-0 lead as the game went into the half time break.
The visitors came out the better side in the second half and should’ve doubled their lead on the hour mark but Du Preez’s effort crashed off the near post before going out of play.
The Soweto giants decided to make their first substitution of the game after 71 minutes as Nkosingiphile Ngcobo came on to replace Alexander before Stellies made a change of their own a minute later when Ally Msengi came on for Stanley Dimgba.
Chiefs had a chance to level matters in the 79th minute when Khama Billiat delivered a cross into the box from a corner but Erick Mathoho’s header sailed wide of the target.
The visitors made their second substitution in the 82nd minute as Judas Mosemeadi was brought on in place of Mendieta, while Chiefs Kgaogelo Sekgota came on to replace Nange.
Billiat came close to levelling matters with five minutes left to play when he produced an effort from just outside the box but saw his curling strike sail inches over the target.
Stephens was called into action late in stoppage time when he made a superb save to deny AMkahosi a late equaliser as they held on to snatch all three points away from home.