Stellenbosch FC have reclaimed third spot on the Betway Premiership table after defeating SuperSport United 2-1 at the Danie Craven Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Combined with Sekhukhune United’s draw at home to Kaizer Chiefs, this result – secured by goals from Sanele Barns and Devin Titus – sees Stellies leapfrog into third and put themselves on course to qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup for a second successive year.
As for Matsatsantsa, this defeat breaks a run of four unbeaten games and sees them slip closer to the relegation playoff zone: they are now level on points with 15th-placed Cape Town City (who beat Polokwane City away) and ranked ahead only on goal difference.
Stellenbosch were the more enterprising team in the opening phase, and they claimed the lead in the 15th minute via Sanele Barns, who steered home a right-footed shot after good set-up play from Devin Titus.
SuperSport looked for a quick reply, with Lyle Lakay’s set piece delivery picking out Ime Okon, but the defender put his header over the target in the 18th minute, and four minutes later Christian Saile saw his shot kept out by goalkeeper Oscarine Masuluke.
Stellies then doubled their lead in the 27th minute, as Fawaaz Basadien played a fine pass to put Titus in on goal, and the attacker provided a crisp finish beyond the reach of goalkeeper Ricardo Goss for 2-0.
Titus, who had enjoyed a storming first half with a goal and an assist, continued to be the game’s central protagonist early in the second stanza – though not in a manner he would have enjoyed. In the 50th minute he scored an unfortunate own goal to bring SuperSport right back into the contest.
Matsatsantsa also turned to their bench to try and force an equaliser in the clash, introducing experienced attackers Lebohang Maboe and Vincent Pule with just under 20 minutes to play, as well as Samir Nurkovic and Terrence Dzvukamanja a while later.
However, Stellies were able to hold firm in defence and secure a key victory in terms of their hopes of competing in African continental club competition again next season.
SuperSport will continue their Premiership season with a match at home to Orlando Pirates on Tuesday, 20 May, while Stellenbosch’s final match of the league campaign is away to Western Cape rivals Cape Town City on Saturday, 24 May.
Stellenbosch FC (2) 2 (Barns 15’, Titus 27’)
SuperSport United (0) 1 (Titus og 50’)
Stellenbosch: Masuluke, Godswill, Toure, Moloisane, Basadien, Nduli, Khiba (Jabaar 74’), Barns (Mdaka 74’), Nku (Palace 58’), Titus (Jurgens 88’), De Jong (Cupido 74’)
SuperSport: Goss, Sanoka, Okon, Hlatshwayo, Baliti (Pule 71’), Mobbie, Ndlovu, Moralo (Maboe 71’), Lakay (Dzvukamanja 81’), Saile, Grobler (Nurkovic 80’)