Titus on target as Stellies end Pirates’ unbeaten league run
Stellenbosch FC returned to winning ways on Sunday after claiming a narrow 1-0 Betway Premiership victory away to Orlando Pirates.
In the club’s first meeting against Pirates since the MTN8 final defeat in October, Stellenbosch FC traveled to Orlando Stadium to face the Buccaneers in a highly-anticipated Betway Premiership encounter.
The hosts headed into the weekend as league leaders and looked to assert pressure in the opening half, first through Relebohile Mofokeng, who curled an effort just wide, and then through Mohau Nkota who forced Sage Stephens into making a strong double-handed save.
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It was at the other end where the deadlock was broken, however, as Ashley Cupido picked out an advancing Devin Titus on the left wing and the Bafana Bafana forward made no mistake with a composed finish.
Stellies’ lead could, and perhaps should have been doubled moments later when Sihle Nduli and Chumani Butsaka broke clear and two-on-one with Pirates’ defence, but Nduli’s final pass was heavy and pushed Butsaka too far wide.
The hosts then had a dangerous opportunity to equalise when an indirect free-kick was awarded in the box against Sage Stephens after the Stellies ‘keeper handled a back-pass following a miscommunication.
With the last kick of the half, Pirates worked the ball to Patrick Maswanganyi who fired his effort narrowly over the crossbar, meaning Stellenbosch headed into the break with a lead to defend in the second stanza.
The intensity shot up a notch in the second half as both teams pushed forward in attack, and Pirates nearly found a leveler through substitute Kabelo Dlamini who rattled the crossbar with a long-range effort.
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With the team from Gauteng throwing caution to the wind, Stellies looked to steal a second at the other end through Khomotjo Lekoloane, who forced Sipho Chaine into making a good save from a tight angle.
There was time for one last big chance and it fell to Pirates centre-back Nkosinathi Sibisi. The defender was picked out unmarked in the box but could only fire a tame effort straight into the grateful arms of Stephens.
The result saw Stellies snap Pirates’ seven-match winning streak in the league since the start of the season and ensured that the team from the Cape Winelands remain unbeaten in their last three outings to the vaunted Orlando Stadium.