Stellenbosch's continental chances continued to slip away after playing to a 1-1 draw against Maritzburg United in the DStv Premiership on Saturday evening.
DStv Premiership
Result: Stellenbosch 1-1 Maritzburg United
Date: 07 May 2022
Venue: Danie Craven Stadium
Steve Barker brought back goalkeeper Sage Stephens in the only change from their goalless draw against SuperSport United while Maritzburg also did not tamper much with the side that beat Royal AM, as Lucky Baloyi was the only new face in the line-up.
Stellies were on the front foot in the early stages, as they had two quick opportunities that fell to Ashley Du Preez but he could not trouble goalkeeper Marcel Engelhardt.
The hosts came the closest to breaking the deadlock in the 24th minute after Mogamad De Goede connected with a set-piece by Marc Van Heerden in the box but guided his header wide.
Maritzburg upped their game in the latter phase of the first stanza, as they put Stellies under pressure with two successive corners but Stephens kept them at bay and the tie remained goalless at halftime.
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The game opened up in the second stanza and Ernst Middendorp's charges were awarded a penalty on the hour-mark. Alfred Ndengane, who replaced Clayton Daniels, made no mistake from 12 yards out.
Steve Barker's men did not take long to respond, as second-half substitute and former Maritzburg striker Judas Moseamedi levelled matters six minutes later after he finished off a good team move in the box.
Stellies were looking for the winner in the last quarter of an hour with a change in attack as Du Preez made way for Stanley Dimgba for fresh legs.
Dimgba caused problems for Maritzburg in the closing minutes but he lacked the killer instinct, as the Team of Choice held on for a share of the spoils and moved four points clear of the relegation zone with two games to go.
Here's how they lined up:
Stellenbosch: 17. Stephens, 4. De Goede, 24. Kwinika, 8. Van Heerden, 7. Van Rooyen, 6. Mthethwa, 10. Mendieta, 27. Jabaar, 23. Adams, 9. Du Preez, 15. Ortiz.
Subs: 35. Bombay, 3. Letsoenyo, 25. Moseamedi, 21. Isaacs, 12. Scott, 13. Dimgba, 16. Johannes.
Maritzburg: 31. Engelhardt, 17. Claasen, 5. Daniels, 4. Allie, 2. Pereira, 6. Graham, 23. Lukhubeni, 37. Ritchie, 12. Baloyi, 20. Samu, 9. Macheke
Subs: 1. Petersen, 28. Palace, 19. Skelem, 11. Soukouna, 22. Theron, 25. Ismail, 42. Rae, 8. Kewuti, 27. Ndengane.
