Cape Town - Stellenbosch FC claimed their first win of the season with a 2-0 victory over Polokwane City at Pietersburg Stadium on Wednesday evening.
It is Polokwane City's second Absa Premiership defeat in as many games, which has halted they're fine early-season form. Stellies strike duo Waseem Isaacs and Iqraam Rayners got the goals.
Polokwane were controlling the early exchanges and making more of the play.
Stellenbosch took the lead in the 15th minute. Robyn Johannes won the ball back on the half-line and played the ball into the feet of Isaacs, who turned his marker and ran 20 metres before firing the ball into the bottom left-hand corner from a slight angle on the right-hand side.
The visitors doubled their lead five minutes later. Rise and Shine were once again badly exposed on the counterattack. A miscued clearance from Salulani Phiri allowed Rayners to break clear on goal and bury the ball past George Chigova.
In the 36th minute, the hosts worked their way upfield and Phiri played a one-two with Mohammed Anas but blazed his effort wildly wide.
Stellies looked content to get men behind the ball in the second half and appeared to be only focused on preserving their lead rather than pushing for a third.
Jabu Maluleke played a diagonal to the back post for Njabulo Senzo, who delivered a tantalising ball into the box which Puleng Tlolane just failed to get on the end of.
City were camping themselves inside Stellies' half but were as of yet unable to find a way through. Steve Barker's side looked to be tiring as it was them who were chasing shadows as the second half wore on.
Despite their obvious fatigue, the visitors managed to carve out a decent opportunity with 15 minutes to go. Having broken quickly on the counterattack, Isaacs played in Rayners down the left-hand side, who returned the favour but the former could not hit the target.
However, it mattered little as the visitors saw out the game to claim their first triumph of the campaign.
- TeamTalk Media