Stellenbosch FC boosted their top-three hopes in the Betway Premiership with a 3-0 victory over Golden Arrows on Saturday afternoon.
Thabo Matlaba made his first start for Arrows with Kagiso Malinga back up top, while Stellies restored Genino Palace and Thato Khiba from the win over Chippa United.
Abafana Besthene made a positive start and saw a forward-run by Siyanda Mthanti from deep lead to an opening, but it was safely smothered.
The Maroons contained the pressure and found the opener in the 15th minute against the run of play as Devon Titus capitalised on a defensive lapse from a corner-kick.
Malinga almost got the host level in no less than a minute through a smart header following a delivery to the area, but his effort sailed wide of Oscarine Masuluke’s goal.
The Maroons still enjoyed momentum amidst the pressure as Andre De Jong nodded inches wide of the area from a cross by Fawaaz Basadien.
Arrows boss Manqoba Mngqithi made a double substitution at halftime – bringing on Angelo Van Rooi for Sabelo Sithole and Thokozani Lukhele for Malinga as they looked to get back on level terms.
Titus looked to haunt the host once more through a succession of chances minutes from the break, but he was courted by goalkeeper Edward Maova.
Abafana Besthende were still on the back-foot and were breached again in the last 20 minutes when substitute Lesiba Nku met a flick on from De Jong to head in.
Stellies added another goal two minutes later as Thabo Moloisane made the most of a cross from Basadien following a corner and nodded beyond Maova to seal a good winon the road.
Confirmed line-ups:
Golden Arrows: Maova, Shitolo, Kobedi, Matlaba , Malinga, Dlamini, S.Cele, Ndwandwe , Maxwele, Mthanti, Sithole,
Subs: Watenga, Masuku, Lukhele, Jiyane, Msomi,Zwane, Mchunu,B.Cele, Van Rooi
Stellenbosch: Masuluke, Moloisane, Toure, Nduli, Enyinnaya, Palace, Basadien, Titus, De Jong, Lekoloane, Khiba
Subs: Langeveldt, Mcaba, Butsaka, Jurgens, Nku, Jabaar, Philander, Barns
