Stellenbosch suffer narrow defeat to AmaZulu in Durban
Stellenbosch FC suffered a narrow 2-1 Betway Premiership defeat to AmaZulu at Princess Magogo Stadium on Wednesday evening.
Looking to bounce back from an MTN8 Final defeat to Orlando Pirates over the weekend, there was little time for rest for Stellenbosch FC who traveled to Durban to take on AmaZulu in a Betway Premiership encounter on Wednesday.
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Steve Barker made one change to his starting XI as Thato Khiba was given the nod ahead of Genino Palace as he looked to record a repeat of the 3-2 MTN8 quarter-final win that his side earned over Usuthu earlier in the season.
The opening period offered little by way of chances for either side, and Stellies’ first shot at goal came after the half-hour mark when Devin Titus, in his 100th league appearance for the Club, fired just wide with an effort from just outside the box.
It was at the other end where the deadlock would eventually be broken, however, as Hendrick Ekstein, on the stroke of half-time, struck twice in quick succession to give AmaZulu a two-goal lead heading into the break.
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Barker rang the changes at the start of the second half as Langelihle Phili and Turan Manafov – the latter making his debut – were introduced in place of Kazie Enyinna and Omega Mdaka.
Those changes proved to be a masterstroke as shortly after the restart, Phili danced his way through the AmaZulu defence to pull one back for the team from the Cape Winelands.
Belief restored, Stellenbosch continued to push forward with regularity in search of an equaliser, and Ashley Cupido and Sanele Barns fired efforts wide and over, respectively, with two of the better chances of the second half.
That second goal remained elusive for Stellies, however, as Usuthu held out to claim a hard-fought three points.