Stellenbosch FC returned to the top eight in the DStv Premiership standings after recording a hard-fought victory over AmaZulu on Saturday afternoon.

Steve Barker’s side picked up where they left off before the international break by extending their unbeaten run to six matches across all competitions on Saturday, recording a 1-0 DStv Premiership win over AmaZulu at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

The encounter started with both sides feeling each other out in the opening half an hour, before Stellies took the lead through the boot of Anicet Oura. The Ivory Coast international reacted quickest after a save from Veli Mothwa fell into his path and he made no mistake to open his account for the Maroons.

Shortly after that, Iqraam Rayners, who was heavily involved in the opening goal,  came close to doubling the advantage but fired his effort over the bar after the ball appeared to hobble on the surface as he pulled the trigger.

Nonetheless, Stellies retained their lead heading into the half-time break, but they were made to work even harder in the second stanza as Usuthu came out blazing looking for the equalising goal.

The home team had a golden opportunity to level matters straight after the restart when Ramahlwe Mphahlele was fouled in the box, but a diving save from Man of the Match Sage Stephens denied Sede Junior Dion’s penalty from the resultant spot-kick.

Stephens was again on hand with a quarter-of-an-hour remaining when he pulled off a low save to his left to keep out a Riaan Hanamub free-kick, before sealing the win with another finger-tip save to divert a late, deflected effort from Augustine Chidi Kwem over the crossbar.

AmaZulu threw numbers forward in search of a late leveler but Stellies’ defence held firm to earn a massive win on the road, a result which has seen the side from the Cape Winelands climb above their opponents in the DStv Premiership standings.