Kaizer Chiefs lacked a clinical touch in going down to a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Stellenbosch FC in their DStv Premiership encounter at FNB stadium on Tuesday night.
Amakhosi were unable to convert numerous opportunities, having fallen behind to a Devin Titus goal on the very stroke of half-time.
In a relatively uneventful opening 45 minutes, neither goalkeeper was troubled until Titus broke the deadlock in the final seconds of the referee’s one added minute of stoppage time.
Amakhosi had to withstand some early pressure from the visitors and the tenacity and aggression of the midfield pairing of Siyethemba Sithebe and Sibongiseni Mthethwa were effective in protecting the defence. On the odd occasion they were bypassed, Edmilson Dove and Given Msimango were there to tidy up.
Chiefs did enjoy some offensive periods, such as a shot from Pule Mmodi that just skimmed Sage Stephens’ crossbar in the 22nd minute and another effort blocked in the 42nd minute.
Mududuzi Shabalala also had a couple of attempts, first with a free kick that cleared the crossbar and a moment later when Sithebe won the ball back with a well-timed interception high up the pitch, saw his shot blocked for a corner, which was cleared.
As the clock ticked towards 46 minutes, Dino Van Rooyen played a testing ball from the right flank into the ‘corridor of uncertainty’ behind the Chiefs defence and Titus nipped in ahead of Bruce Bvuma to prod the ball home and take Stellies into a 1-0 halftime lead.
Christian Saile replaced Wandile Duba up front for the second half and the Congolese winger was straight into the action, cutting in from the right to hit a shot that Stephens saved low at his near post.
On 53 minutes, Ashley Du Preex headed a Moodi cross wide. Two minutes later, a neat interchange between the lively Shabalala and Du Preez on the edge of the box set Shaba free. His stinging shot was parried by Stephens but unfortunately there was no Chiefs player on hand to tap in the rebound.
Saile saw his powerful volley deflected for a corner in the 57th minute and headed wide five minutes later.
With nine minutes to go Du Preez made a gap for himself to fashion a shot at goal but hit it straight at Stephens.
As Amakhosi threw everything forward in search of an equaliser, Bvuma saved brilliantly in a one-on-one with Antionio van Wyk, who was clean through on the break.
Through no lack of effort, Chiefs could not find that elusive equaliser when the final whistle was blown.
The result leaves them 7th in the table, and they will be determined to go all out for three points when they travel to East London to face Chippa United on Saturday, 6 April, kicking off at 15:00.
Line-ups:
Kaizer Chiefs: Bvuma (44), Hlanti (23), Kwinika (4) (Solomons (18) 72’), Msimango © (25), Dove (2), Sithebe (6) (Mdantsane (3) 81’), Mthethwa (5), Shabalala (42) (Castillo (17) 81’), Mmodi (13) (Chivaviro (7) 72’), Duba (36) Basomboli Saile (21) 45’), Du Preez (9)
Subs not used: Petersen (1); Nj Ngcobo (27), Mashiane (19), Zwane (37)
Coach: Cavin Johnson
Stellenbosch FC: Stephens (17); Toure (45), Basadien (21), van Rooyen© (7) (Jurgens (27) 75’), Nduli (8), Moloisane (24), Adams (23) (Sibande (22) 75’), Oura (14) (van Wyk (29) 66’), De Jong (18) (Mgaga (17) 66’), Titus (34), Rayners (9) (Boji (19) 86’)
Subs not used: Masuluke (30); Mcaba (26), Colley (11), Mini (12)
Coach: Steve Barker
SOURCED FROM THE KAIZER CHIEFS WEBSITE.
