Unbeaten Stellenbosch moved up to second spot on the DStv Premiership table with a 1-0 win over winless Marumo Gallants on Wednesday afternoon.
DStv Premiership
Result: Stellenbosch 1-0 Marumo Gallants
Date: 27 October 2021
Venue: Danie Craven Stadium
Stellies made two changes, as they recalled Marc van Heerden and Ashley Du Preez while Gallants brought back Katlego Otladisa and handed Nduduzi Nhlapo his debut.
The hosts were enterprising in the early stages and Judas Moseamedi had a good chance in the tenth minute inside the box but his strike was saved by shot-stopper Washington Arubi.
Steve Barker's charges were causing problems on the wings and Du Preez eventually broke the deadlock just before the half-hour mark with a close-range strike from the rebound after Junior Mendieta's shot came off the post.
While Bahlabane Ba Ntwa were not able to break down Stellenbosch, Stanley Dimgba came close to doubling the home side's lead just before the half-time interval with a looping strike from outside the box that sailed narrowly wide.
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Monde Mphambaniso had a big chance for the visitors ten minutes inside the second stanza with a free header that was smothered by goalkeeper Sage Stephens.
Stellies were absorbing the pressure, with Gallants applying the pressure, as Maleka gave Siphelele Ntshangase his debut in the last 22 minutes in place of Celimpilo Ngema in midfield.
The hosts closed up shop in the last eight minutes as they reinforced the defence with Mogamad De Goede in place of attacker Mendieta, which was enough to get the job done and extend their unbeaten run.
Here's how they started:
Stellenbosch: 17. Stephens, 24. Kwinika, 20. Robertson, 7. Van Rooyen, 8. Van Heerden, 19. Sinkala, 27. Jabaar, 10. Mendieta, 13. Dimgba, 9. Du Preez, 25. Moseamedi.
Subs: 32. Bombay, 5. Mthethwa, 11. Khunyedi, 3. Letsoenyo, 4. De Goede, 23. Adams, 34. Titus, 21. Isaacs, 14. Msengi.
Gallants: 36. Arubi, 13. Kgoetyane, 5. Mabotja, 44. Nhlapo, 18. Nonyane, 6. Timm, 10. Ngema, 20. Ndlondlo, 9. Matlakala, 23. Mnyamane, 11. Otladisa.
Subs: 16. Ndlovu, 50. Sibeko, 28. Koapeng, 27. Nkosi, 21. Molangoane, 30. Kumalo, 3. Manaka, 26. Ntshangase, 15. Mphambaniso.
