Titus fires Stellenbosch to victory over Chiefs
Stellenbosch FC’s pursuit of continental qualification took another step forward on Tuesday after the club recorded a 1-0 DStv Premiership win over Kaizer Chiefs at the FNB Stadium.
Stellies consolidated their position at second spot on the DStv Premiership standings after downing Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 in Johannesburg, courtesy of a first-half goal from in-form forward, Devin Titus.
Steve Barker’s side were quick out of the blocks and fashioned an early opportunity through Anicet Oura, whose squared pass was cut out at the last minute by Chiefs’ Given Msimango with Iqraam Rayners waiting to pounce in the box.
Two half-chances fell the way of Andre de Jong shortly thereafter but the New Zealand international was unlucky not to have made either count, before Rayners fired a powerful curling effort narrowly over the crossbar.
Not to be deterred, the team from the Cape Winelands continued to push forward and were rewarded on the stroke of half-time when Titus scored for the third consecutive match, getting the decisive touch on a pin-point cross from Deano van Rooyen.
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Devin Titus’ first-half goal has earned us a hard-fought win over Kaizer Chiefs ????
Kaizer Chiefs ⓪-① Stellenbosch FC pic.twitter.com/QQZ8xo5lf4
— Stellenbosch FC (@StellenboschFC) April 2, 2024
Following the interval, the hosts came out firing and Thabo Moloisane and Man of the Match Ismael Toure combined to keep out a dangerous looking attack shortly after the restart.
Stellies ‘keeper Sage Stephens, who has now kept 11 clean sheets across all competitions this season, was then tested in quick succession and was forced to pull off good saves to deny Christian Saile and Mduduzi Shabalala.
The Amakhosi continued to pour forward in search of the equalising goal but the Maroons defence held firm, and almost found a second goal at the death following two swift counter-attacks.
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The first saw substitute Antonio van Wyk break clear only to be denied by Chiefs stopper, Bruce Bvuma, before Nhlanhla Mgaga fired wide with an acrobatic overhead effort that was effectively the last play of the match.
With three points secured, Stellenbosch retained second spot in the league table, four points clear of Sekhukhune United who are the Maroons’ next opponents this coming Saturday.