DStv Premiership Report: Kaizer Chiefs v Stellenbosch 02 November 2021

Kaizer Chiefs were unable to secure a third straight DStv Premiership victory after falling to a 1-0 defeat to the unbeaten Stellenbosch, who jumped to second spot.

DStv Premiership

Result: Kaizer Chiefs 0-1 Stellenbosch

Date: 02 November 2021

Venue: FNB Stadium

Chiefs made two changes from the win over SuperSport United, as Cole Alexander and Daniel Cardoso returned, with Bernard Parker flanked by Keagan Dolly and Khama Billiat upfront.

The hosts were on the front foot in the opening exchanges and Cardoso had a chance to give them the lead in the sixth minute after shot-stopper Sage Stephens parried Billiat's free-kick into the path of the Chiefs defender, who blasted his strike into the side netting.

With Stellies were absorbing the pressure and playing on counter-attacks, Ashley Du Preez went through inside the box in the 16th minute but his low shot lacked power and was saved by goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi.

Stuart Baxter's charges were unable to turn their dominance on the ball into chances and they were punished on the counter seven minutes before the half-time break, as Du Preez broke the deadlock for the visitors with a cracking strike from outside the box after turning Cardoso.

View the records of previous Chiefs coaches...

Steve Komphela was hired in 2015 after Stuart Baxter and left without winning a trophy in 2018.

Giovanni Solinas took over from Komphela at the start of 2018/19, but was sacked by December.

Ernst Middendorp replaced Solinas in December 2018.

Gavin Hunt's contract was terminated by Kaizer Chiefs on Friday.

Steve Barker's men continued to threaten on counter-attacks early in the second stanza as Du Preez came close to doubling their lead on the hour-mark with a low strike that came off the post after going through inside the box.

With Chiefs struggling to break down the Stellies defence with time running out, Baxter made a tactical change in the last 20 minutes as Nkosingiphile Ngcobo replaced Alexander in the midfield.

Billiat came close to snatching the equaliser in the last five minutes with a curling strike inside the box that missed narrowly over the bar, but Stellies had dn enough to secure three points and extend their unbeaten record.

Here's how they started:

Chiefs: 43. Akpeyi, 45. Blom, 27. Njabulo Ngcobo, 3. Mathoho, 4. Cardoso, 22. Hlanti, 17. Alexander, 24. Nange, 25. Parker, 10. Dolly, 11. Billiat.

Subs: 1. Petersen, 39. Frosler, 26. Mabiliso, 29. Dube, 12. Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, 5. Agay, 33. Radebe, 14. Sekgota, 7. Kambole.

Stellenbosch: 17. Stephens, 24. Kwinkwa, 20. Robertson, 7. Van Rooyen, 8. Van Heerden, 5. Mthethwa, 23. Adams, 19. Sinkala, 13. Dimgba, 9. Du Preez, 10. Mendieta

Subs: 32. Bombay, 34. Titus, 25. Moseamedi, 21. Isaacs, 10. Khunyedi, 14. Msengi, 3. Letsoenyo, 4. De Goede