Kaizer Chiefs lost their eighth game of the DStv Premiership season after going down 1-0 to Stellenbosch on Tuesday evening.
Chiefs named the same line-up that drew with Cape Town City, with fluid attack of Pule Mmodi, Mduduzi Shabalala, Wandile Duba and Ashley Du Preez.
Amakhosi settled the quickest, putting together a string of passes but they nearly went behind on 15 minutes after Given Msimango had to clear a cross in the six box before it could reach an unmarked Iqraam Rayners in front of an open net.
The game opened up after that as midway into the first stanza Mmodi came close to breaking the deadlock with a curling shot unmarked in the box that sailed slightly over the top corner.
Cavin Johnson's charges gained momentum and with ten minutes left of the first stanza, Shabalala came close to breaking the deadlock with a shot that took a nasty deflection in the box and wrong-footed goalkeeper Sage Stephens but missed the bottom corner.
Stellies were dangerous on counter-attacks and Devon Titus eventually broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time with a flick over the on-rushing shot-stopper Bruce Bvuma after a through ball.
Chiefs made an attacking change at half-time as Christian Saile replaced Duba and the hosts had a sense of urgency as ten minutes in Shabalala forced a save out of Stephens after going through in the box.
However, Steve Barker's men were able to absorb the pressure and contained Amakhosi, who turned to their bench again in the last 20 minutes, as Ranga Chivaviro replaced Mmodi for a direct approach going forward.
The Glamour Boys had the momentum in the closing stages and were threatening with crosses into the Stellies box as Ashley Du Preez had a chance to equalise with a free header that was smothered by Stephens.
However, it nearly got worse for Chiefs in stoppage time after a mistake at the back led to Antoinio Van Wyk racing clear on goal but Bvuma made a crucial save in a one-on-one.
But the Cape Winelands side had already done enough, as they held on to consolidate their second position on the log while the Glamour Boys lost their eighth game of the season.
Confirmed line-ups:
Kaizer Chiefs: Bvuma, Hlanti, Msimango, Kwinika, Dove, Sithebe, Mthethwa, Shabalala, Mmodi, Du Preez, Duba.
Subs: Petersen, Ngcobo, Solomons, Mashiane, Castillo, Zwane, Mdantsane, Saile, Chivaviro
Stellenbosch: Stephens, Toure, Basadien, Van Rooyen, Nduli, Moloisane, Adams, Oura, De Jong, Titus, Rayners
Subs: Masuleke, Mcaba, Jurgens, Mgaga, Sibande, Van Wyk, Colley, Boji, Mini
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