Chiefs claim hard-fought win over 10-man Stellies

Kaizer Chiefs claimed a hard-fought 2-0 away win over 10-man Stellenbosch FC in an entertaining DStv Premiership match at the Danie Craven Stadium on Wednesday evening.

A magnificent strike from Pule Mmodi and a red card for Devin Titus were the two deciding incidents of the match – with Christian Saile adding a final blow in the dying minutes – allowing the Amakhosi to record back-to-back league wins, while Stellies slumped to a second successive defeat.

Stellenbosch found their attacking rhythm first and bossed the opening half-hour, creating one great opportunity for Iqraam Rayners – which he sliced high and wide – as well as several half-chances for the likes of Andre De Jong and Jayden Adams.

The hosts kept up their pressing and intensity and had two chances to claim the lead in the 35th minute, with Titus striking on target and denied by a fine save from Chiefs goalkeeper Brandon Petersen, before De Jong stabbed a loose ball just wide of the mark.

De Jong had another opening late in the first half when he latched onto a half-clearance on the edge of the box but failed to find the target with a left-footed volley, leaving the game goalless at the break.

Chiefs were much more proactive in the early stages after the restart and Pule Mmodi broke the deadlock with a superb goal in the 52nd minute, exchanging passes with Mduduzi Mdantsane before firing an unstoppable long-range drive beyond the reach of goalkeeper Sage Stephens.

And Stellies were dealt another blow just four minutes later when Titus picked up a second caution, for a studs-up challenge on Thatayaone Ditlhokwe, and was sent for an early shower. The red card rules the key player out for their MTN8 semifinal, first-leg match against Orlando Pirates this coming weekend.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, the hosts almost came up with an equaliser in the 63rd minute, with Rayners turning in the box and getting a low shot away, but Petersen made a sharp save to keep his team ahead.

Stellenbosch kept up their search for an equaliser and sent on Kgaogelo Sekgota, Antonio Van Wyk, Nhlanhla Mgaga and Qobolwakhe Sibande in an effort to put Chiefs’ defence under pressure.

Yet the Soweto giants held firm and claimed a killer goal to make it 2-0, with substitutes Mduduzi Shabalala and Christian Saile combining – the former provided a cross from a free kick and the latter finished with a fine header to end the game as a contest on 89 minutes.

Stellenbosch will be back in DStv Premiership action on September 16 with a match away to Golden Arrows, while Chiefs will host Royal AM on the same day.

Stellenbosch FC 0

Kaizer Chiefs (0) 2 (Mmodi 52’, Saile 89’)

STELLENBOSCH: Stephens, Van Rooyen (Sibande 88’), Moloisane (Van Wyk 70’), Toure, Basadien, Mthethwa, Palace (Mgaga 70’), Adams, De Jong (Sekgota 70’), Titus, Rayners (Boji 90+1’)

CHIEFS: Petersen, Frosler, Kwinika (Solomons 90+1’), Ditlhokwe, Msimango, Maart (Shabalala 76’), Castillo, Mdantsane (Matlou 64’), Potsane (Saile 64’), Mmodi, Du Preez (Zwane 76’)