Stellenbosch FC maintained their hopes of securing a top-three finish in the Betway Premiership with a 1-0 win over Chippa United on Wednesday evening.
The Maroons made one change from Sunday’s draw against Simba SC in the semi-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup by introducing Sanele Barns for Thato Khiba.
Barns had a chance to justify his return to the fold seven minutes gone with a telling opening from a delivery by Andre De Jong, but he fluffed his lines after just seven minutes.
Maroons made more chances around the half-hour mark through a header from Khomotjo Lekoloane off Enyinnaya Godswill’s cross, but it went over.
Lekoloane got another opening off the head left of the area moments later from a cross by Fawaaz Basadien this time, but he missed target while at the other end, Chippa were forced to make a substitution as an injury required Enock Sakala Junior to make way for Bienvenu Eva Nga.
Chippa looked to snatched the lead on the stroke of halftime through a shot from the area by Sirgio Kammies, but Oscarine Masuluke got behind it.
The Maroons, though, continued seeing the better of the chances after the break as De Jong fired narrowly wide of the upright from Enyinnaya’s pass.
The Chilli Boys came close to the lead a little later when a stern effort from Giovani Philander forced Masuluke into a smart save, while Nga threatened inside the closing quarter with a header from the area that sailed over the crossbar.
However, Stellenbosch seized victory seven minutes from time when Barns finished from the right of the area after meeting a cross from Omega Mdaka.
The Maroons held it all together with fulltime on the horizon and sealed the victory to keep their top-three hopes alive, as Chippa’s top eight ambitions suffered a blow.
Confirmed line-ups:
Stellenbosch FC: Masuluke, Enyinnaya, Moloisane, Toure, Basadien, Butsaka, Nduli, De Jong, Lekoloan, Titus
Subs: Langeveldt, Onyango, Mdaka, Jurgens, Nku, Mcaba, Jabaar, Palace, Pji
Chippa United: Johnson, Madingwana, Makhele, Chabalala, Sithole, Martin, Kammies, Konqobe, Philander, Kwayiba, Sakala
Subs: July, Ndlovu, Eva Nga, Matrose, Maarman, Mqokozo, Molaoa, Tyongwana, Modise
