Stellenbosch FC’s pursuit of continental qualification took another step forward on Tuesday evening (2 April) after they recorded a 1-0 win over Kaizer Chiefs in a DStv Premiership clash at the FNB Stadium.
Stellies consolidated their position in second place on the log standings after downing Chiefs in Johannesburg, courtesy of a first-half goal from in-form forward Devin Titus. The victory meant the Maroons extended their unbeaten run to 19 matches across all competitions
Steve Barker’s charges were quick out of the blocks, before fashioning an early opportunity through Anicet Oura, whose squared pass was cut out by Chiefs’ Given Msimango at the last minute, with Iqraam Rayners waiting to pounce in the box.
Two half-chances fell the way of André de Jong shortly afterwards, but the New Zealand international was unlucky not to have made either count, before Rayners fired a powerful curling effort narrowly over the crossbar.
Not to be deterred, the team from the Cape Winelands continued to push forward and were rewarded on the stroke of half-time.
Then Titus scored for the third consecutive match, getting the decisive touch on a pin-point cross from Deano van Rooyen.
Speaking after the match, head coach Barker was quick to praise his troops for their current run of form.
“I can’t speak highly enough of this group of players,” he said.
“It’s now 19 games unbeaten, of which 15 are wins, and you can see out there that the players are getting what they deserve for the effort they’re putting in.
“It is a massive result for us to get and to solidify our position in second with nine games remaining.
“There’s still a lot of football to be played, and 27 points to play for, but if you had asked me at the beginning of the season if we would be in the position we are in, I probably wouldn’t have believed you.
“It’s a bit surreal for me sometimes, the run we are having, but it’s important to maintain concentration, focus, and get back up for another big game against Sekhukhune United on Saturday. We’ve got to get back to Cape Town, rest and recover, and then put on a big performance for a team that is also in good form at the moment.”
- The DStv Premiership match against third-placed Sekhukhune United takes place at the Danie Craven Stadium at 20:00 on Saturday (6 April).
