Stellenbosch FC bagged their first win of the Betway Premiership season after defeating Marumo Gallants 1-0 on Tuesday evening.
Coach Steve Barker made just one change from the MTN8 encounter against Sekhukhune United over the weekend as Genino Palace was recalled to the starting line-up, with Ibraheem Jabaar dropping to the bench.
Gallants were looking to get back on the winning trail after suffering their first defeat of the campaign to AmaZulu last week.
The first big opening of the encounter fell the home side after 24 minutes when Andre de Jong got on the end of an inviting cross before sending a towering header against the crossbar with goalkeeper Washington Arubi.
Unfortunately, that proved to be the only clear-cut opening in the first half from both sides, who were both keen to get back on the winning path.
That all changed two minutes into the second half when substitute Langelihle Phili opened the scoring for Stellenbosch with his third goal of the season across all competitions.
Barker's charges pushed for more goals as the second half went on, with Thabo Moloisane's cross-cum-shot forcing Arubi into a vital save to keep the Limpopo outfit in the game.
With Gallants pushing for a way back into the contest, the home side made a double change for the final 15 minutes as Chumani Butsaka and Khomotjo Lekoloane replaced Thato Khiba and Devin Titus.
The changes helped Barker's side see out the closing stages to secure their first win at the fourth attempt.
Photo by Shaun Roy/Gallo Images
Confirmed line-ups:
Stellenbosch: Stephens, Enyinnaya, Moloisane, Stanic, Mdaka, Mthiyani, Khiba, Genino, de Jong, Nku, Titus
Marumo Gallants: Arubi, Sikhosana, Chabatsane, Mphambaniso, Ncube, Msendami, Nhlapo, K.Sithole, C. Sithole, Mabuza, Mabotja
