Stellenbosch FC registered just their second Betway Premiership win of the season, overcoming Kruger United 1-0 in a closely contested match at the Mbombela Stadium on Saturday evening.
There was little to separate the sides through the 90 minutes, but Stellies claimed all three points on the back of a goal from Keanan Johanessen – and a couple of exceptional saves from goalkeeper Sage Stephens.
The result lifted the visitors to seventh place on the log (nine points from seven matches), while the Village Boys remained in 13th (four points from seven matches) after suffering a fifth defeat.
Stellenbosch settled into a rhythm quicker and threatened to open the scoring in the 10th minute, with Terrence Mashego’s cross from the left picking out Raoul Daniels, but the latter was unable to direct an effort on target.
In the 27th minute the visitors claimed the lead, with a poor clearance from Kruger’s Boitumelo Malatjie falling for Keanan Johanessen. The youngster, making his first start, controlled the ball crisply before driving an effort beyond the right hand of goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou for a 1-0 lead – and his first senior professional goal.
The hosts suffered a further blow when Tatenda Tavengwa succumbed to injury and had to be replaced by Nkosinathi Thwala before the half-hour mark.
A goal down at the break, Kruger started the second half strongly, with Khetukuthula Ndlovu cutting inside from the right and shooting on goal from long range, but Stellies goalkeeper Sage Stephens made a fine save to keep his team in the lead.
The Village Boys pushed for an equaliser, but were hampered in their efforts when defender Katlego Mohamme was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 77th minute.
Despite being down to 10 men, Kruger nearly levelled the game three minutes at a corner kick when substitute Celimpilo Ngema had an effort on target from close range, but Stephens made a sharp reaction save.
The Village Boys stayed in the fight right to the final whistle, but were ultimately unable to salvage something from the match.
The teams will return to Premiership action in October, with Kruger away to Chippa United, and Stellenbosch visiting Kaizer Chiefs.
Kruger United 0
Stellenbosch FC (1) 1 (Johannesen 27’)
Kruger: Dandjinou, Malatjie, Sibiya, Mohamme, Konqobe, Matima (Ngema 73’), Tavengwa (Thwala 28’ [Makhubu 73’]), Tiwani, Ndlovu, Zwane (Mpothe 61’), Makhububela (Kapinga 61’)
Stellenbosch: Stephens, Nkwali, Msimango, Vena, Mashego, Plaatjies (Lebitso 58’), Johannesen (Sibande 76’), Matlou, Matsheke (Andrieas 76’), Daniels (Butsaka 58’), Grobler (Kwayiba 76’)