The Cape stays Maroon as Stellies down Cape Town City
Stellenbosch Football Club retained bragging rights over Cape Town City after recording a 1-0 over their cross-town rivals in their DStv Premiership encounter on Tuesday evening.
Stellenbosch FC traveled to the DHL Cape Town Stadium on Tuesday for the 10th installment of the Cape Derby against Cape Town City, looking to extend a six-match unbeaten run against their local rivals.
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Both teams looked to get an early foothold in the match but struggled to fashion clear-cut opportunities, with the best chances of the opening quarter coming through a pair of free kicks from Iqraam Rayners and Mark van Heerden, respectively.
Stellies then looked to increase the intensity and came close to opening the scoring through Devin Titus. The 22-year-old latched onto a weighted pass from Rayners but saw his effort snuffed out by an on-rushing Darren Keet as he pulled the trigger.
Soon after, Maroons goalkeeper Oscarine Masuluke was called into action at the other end of the pitch to save an effort from Khanyisa Mayo, before showing quick reflexes to deny Jaedin Rhodes from the opener from the rebound.
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An end-to-end affair ensued but it was the away team who finally got the breakthrough with just over half an hour played. Antonio van Wyk embarked on a mazy run before playing Titus through on goal and the forward kept his composure to fire his side into the lead.
Titus’ goal proved to be the difference at half-time as Steve Barker’s side headed back into the changing room with a 1-0 lead.
Following the restart, it was City who came out of the blocks quickest and the hosts had a glorious opportunity to level the score when Mayo broke clean through on goal, but the Bafana Bafana striker couldn’t place his effort beyond Masuluke.
Stellies settled back into rhythm as the half wore on and came close to doubling their advantage with just over 10 minutes remaining when Ivorian forward Oura Anicet was denied only by a strong diving save from Keet.
Rayners later flashed a header wide as the team from the Cape Winelands sought out an insurance policy that ultimately wouldn’t be necessary, with Stellenbosch emerging as 1-0 winners to keep the city Maroon.