Stellenbosch FC kept their impressive unbeaten alive following a 1-1 draw with Sekhukhune United in the DStv Premiership on Wednesday night.
Thamsanqa Masiya came in for the suspended Jamie Webber for the home side, while Sage Stephens and Thabo Moloisane returned from Stellies’ emphatic win over SuperSport United in the quarter-finals of the Nedbank Cup on Saturday.
In-form striker Iqraam Rayners should’ve given the host the perfect start on two minutes from a pass by Anicet Oura, but he slammed wide.
Stellies did come close in the opening exchanges where Devon Titus pulled in space in the offensive half and managed to draw a save from Sekhukhune shot-stopper Badra Ali Sangre.
The action shifted to the other end in quick succession and had Bafana Bafana international Elias Mokwana bringing a fine stop from Stephens from a smart shot-on-the-turn.
A revived Linda Mntambo went inches close for Babina Noko around the half-hour mark after meeting Mokwana’s ball, but he failed to rattle the net.
Oura made the breakthrough five minutes to halftime when he entered the penalty area to get on the end of a cutback from Rayners and fired in with a first-time finish.
Sekhukhune responded with a double change in the second half as Chibuike Ohizu came on for Masiya and Lehlohonolo Mtshali replaced Kamohelo Mokotjo.
Ohizu very nearly got off the mark minutes in after managing to meet a cross from Thamsanqa Mkhize, but he unfortunately steered wide.
Stellies did look to extend the lead past the midway mark of the second stanza through a promising effort from a smart distance by Oura, but he was denied a brace.
The host continued pushing and were rewarded four minutes from time when Ohizu rose unmarked in the box to head in Asekho Tiwani’s cross.
In the end, the two teams couldn’t be separated despite a decent spell of chances and saw the spoils shared.
Confirmed line-ups:
Sekhukhune United: Sangare, Mobbie, Ntiya-Ntiya, Cardoso, Tshibwabwa, Mokotjo, Mokwana, Masiya, Mntambo, Mkhize, Mncube
Subs: Mtsweni, Tiwani, Rikhotso, Mtshali, Sifama, Mohamme, Mahlangu, Carnell, Ohizu
Stellenbosch FC: Stephens, Toure, Basadien, Van Rooyen, Nduli, Moloisane, Adams, De Jong, Oura, Titus, Rayners
Subs: Masuluke, Mcaba, Sibande, Mgaga, Jurgens, Van Wyk, Palace, Boji, Colley
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