Stellenbosch, Gallants share the spoils

Stellenbosch FC and Marumo Gallants played out a 1-1 draw in their DStv Premiership match at the Danie Craven Stadium on Wednesday evening.

The result, which featured goals from Junior Mendieta and Ranga Chivaviro, sees the Maroons remain in 13th place on 17 points after a seventh league match without a win, while Bahlabane ba Ntwa move up to the relegation playoff spot (15th) on 14 points and break a three-game losing streak.

Stellenbosch were the more potent side through the course of the first half and created several good chances from which they should have claimed the lead.

On the quarter hour mark Mervin Boji did great work down the right flank to set up Devon Titus, who neatly stepped past one defender and shot on goal, but saw his effort comfortably saved by Gallants goalkeeper Washington Arubi.

Just past the midway point of the first half, Stellenbosch had another fine chance when Junior Mendieta’s through ball put Boji in on goal, but he was unable to get the better of Arubi one-on-one.

The hosts also suffered an injury blow with about 10 minutes of regulation time remaining before the break, as defender Vusi Sibiya succumbed to an earlier knock.

He was replaced by youngster Athenkosi Mcaba, who himself returned from a lengthy absence due to a hamstring issue.

The first half ended goalless, but just five minutes after the restart Stellies broke the deadlock with a superb goal: a breakaway in midfield saw Mendieta put Titus into space down the right and then arrive late in the box to meet the winger’s cutback and fire a superb first-time shot into the top corner of the net for 1-0.

Just past the hour mark, Gallants almost forced an equaliser in the wake of a set piece which Stellenbosch were unable to clear, with debutant Makgobola Nkomo seeing his shot deflect off Sibongiseni Mthethwa and strike the woodwork.

The visitors also saw a close shave for substitute Ranga Chivaviro on 77 minutes, and had a strong appeal for a penalty rejected a short while later, with Monde Mphambaniso appearing to be tripped in the box by Mcaba.

On 85 minutes Stellenbosch goalkeeper Sage Stephens made an impressive double save, first palming away a shot direct from a free kick by Chivaviro, and then getting up quickly to deny Sibusiso Sibeko on the rebound.

However, Gallants claimed an equaliser in the 89th minute through Chivaviro, who peeled away from two defenders to meet a cross from Katlego Otladisa and head home for 1-1.

Dan Malesela with the midas touch ??

His substitute - Ranga Chivaviro - scores in the 89th minute to rescue a point for Marumo against Stellenbosch in the #DStvPrem. pic.twitter.com/lJSXQBETk5

— SuperSport Football ?? (@SSFootball) January 11, 2023

The Maroons almost reclaimed the lead immediately, with a stunning diagonal ball picking out Dean Van Rooyen, but he was denied by Arubi to leave the game level at the final whistle.

The teams will be back in DStv Premiership action on Saturday, 14 January, with Gallants hosting Richards Bay and Stellenbosch welcoming Sekhukhune United.

Stellenbosch FC (0) 1 (Mendieta 50’)

Stellenbosch: Stephens, Van Rooyen, Makhanya, Sibiya (Mcaba 39’), Basadien (Letsoenyo 55’), Mthethwa, Adams, Boji (Sibande 67’), Mendieta (Mgaga 67’), Titus, Van Wyk (Jabaar 56’)

Gallants: Arubi, Khiba, Nkomo, Kumalo, Mabotja, Mdlinzo, Mdlinzo, Makudubela (Chivaviro 51’), Mphambaniso, Ngema (Bobete 74’), Otladisa, Sibeko