Stellenbosch FC returned to winning ways in the Betway Premiership after defeating Magesi FC 2-1 on Tuesday evening.
Betway Premiership
Teams: Stellenbosch FC 2-1 Magesi FC
Date: 25 February 2025
Venue: Danie Craven Stadium
Steve Barker's charges came into the clash on the back of a disappointing draw against Richards Bay on home soil, with the Limpopo side suffered a 3-0 defeat at the hands of AmaZulu over the weekend.
The hosts started the first half as the livelier of the two sides as they targeted a fast start, but Magesi goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze pulled off a couple vital stops in the opening 15 minutes.
Stellenbosch were rewarded for their dominant start on 21 minutes when Ashley Cupido bagged his fourth league goal of the season by turning home a superb cross from Fawaaz Basadien at the near post.
The visitors, however, were right back in it four minutes later when January signing Given Mashikinya got his first goal for the club by getting on the end of Mzwandile Buthelezi's flick on to slot home from six yards.
Stellenbosch regained momentum and restored their lead ten minutes before the halftime when Cupido raced onto a speculative ball over the top before calmly lobbing the on-rushing Chipezeze.
Both sides came out firing in the second half, but the home side should have added a third goal ten minutes when Lesiba Nku was left alone in the box, however the forward scuffed his strike with only Chipezeze to beat.
That proved to be Nku's last big involvement as the former Mamelodi Sundowns player made way for Chumani Butsaka while Magesi threw on Cameron Ashby and Tshepo Kakora for the final 20 minutes.
There would be no late comeback for the visitors, who were condemned to their 11 defeat of the campaign while Stellenbosch climb to fifth spot, four points adrift of the top three.
Here's how they lined up:
Stellenbosch FC: 17. Stephens, 45. Toure, 8. Basadien, 24, Moloisane, 8. Nduli, 11. Phili, 19. Khiba, 20. Barns, 34. Titus, 7. Nku, 9. Cupido
Subs: 30. Masuluke, 2. Onyango, 3. Mdaka, 16. Enyinnaya, 27. Jabaar, 15. Butsaka, 28. Palace, 5. Lekoloane, 39. Abrahams
Magesi FC: 1. Chipezeze, 25. Abrahams, 4. Makgoga, 3. Buthelezi, 8. Mokone, 6. Darpoh, 28. Mekoa, 36. Vandala, 26. Mtshaii, 50. Mashikinya, 37. Sibanyoni.
Subs: 24. Tshabalala, 35. Matima, 80. Ashby, 49. Komane, 19. Manzini, 20. Malesa, 18. Rademeyer, 88. Makhubela, 16. Kakora
