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Cape Town - Stellenbosch FC picked up their second Absa Premiership win in a row when they stunned Orlando Pirates 1-0 at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.
As it happened | Stellenbosch FC v Orlando Pirates
Stellies are now unbeaten in their last four league games after a poor start to the season, while pressure continues to mount on beleagured Pirates boss Rhulani Mokwena as the Buccanneers have now won just two of 11 games under his stewardship.
The first real opportunity of the match came in the 14th minute. Linda Mntambo played the ball in to the feet of Tshegofatso Mabasa, who missed narrowly of the left-hand upright with a left-footed strike on the turn.
But seven minutes later, Stellenbosch broke the deadlock. Alfred Ndengane gave the ball away sloppily to Iqraam Rayners on the edge of the box, who buried the ball in to the bottom right-hand corner.
Soon after, Buccanneers shot-stopper Wayne Sandilands did well to hold on to the ball from a fiercely struck long-range volley from Stellies striker Waseem Isaacs.
And then moments later, Sandilands saved well from Isaacs after the ball was played in to his feet by Rayners off the back on another quick counter-attack from the hosts.
On the hour mark, Augustine Mulenga's effort deflected effort looped over the goalkeeper but came down on to the roof of the net.
Pirates brought Gabadinho Mhango and Kabelo Dlamini on for Augustine Mulenga and Fortune Makaringe respectively at half-time.
On the hour mark, Stellies goalkeeper Boy de Jong did well to hold on to THembinkosi Lorch's fiercely struck long-range effort from 35 yards out.
Soon after, a cross in to the box fell kindly to Mabasa, who poked the ball towards goal with De Jong pulling off another decent save.
Pirates were camping inside the Stellies' half but the hosts defence was standing resolute, with centre-backs Marvin de Goede and Robyn Johannes as the centre-back pairing partlicularly impressive.
With 15 minutes to go, Lorch's volley grazed the crossbar after a poor defensive header allowed him a snapshot just inside the box.
Soon after, Justin Shonga hit the outside of the upright with a near-post header from an acute angle from a decent Thabiso Monyane delivery in the box from the right-hand side.
But in the end, Stellies would hold on for the crucial victory and a clean sheet after a superb defensive display.
- TeamTalk Media
