Kaizer Chiefs made it two wins in a row as they beat ten man Stellenbosch 2-0 in their DStv Premiership fixture at the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on Wednesday evening.
While Stellies were the home team, this was actually their first game this season at Athlone, rather than at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch. Chiefs on the other hand had already played in this venue, beating Cape Town City in the MTN8 quarter-finals earlier in the month.
Despite the chilly evening, a decent crowd turned out to watch the game which started at a high pace, with action swinging from end to end. Iqraam Rayners was off target in the 13th minute while a minute later Brandon Petersen made light work saving from Andre De Jong.
Sage Stephens was called into action in the 22nd minute to save Given Msimango’s effort from close range, while at the other end captain Deano Van Rooyen headed over ten minutes later.
Petersen made a big save in the 34th minute, denying an unmarked Devin Titus, as the home team looked to raised the stakes.
De Jong went wide with a first-time volley in the 41st minute, while Mduduzi Mdantsane shot over just before the break, and at halftime it remained goalless.
Five minutes into the second half the duck was broken, as Pule Mmodi’s excellent strike from 30 yards out beat Stephens to make it 1-0 to Chiefs.
Matters got worse for Stellies, when Devin Titus was sent off three minutes later after picking up a second yellow card.
Just before the hour mark, Petersen made an excellent reflex save low down to deny Rayners from equalising, while he was in the right place to make a simple save from Van Rooyen five minutes later.
Christian Saile made it 2-0 in the 89th minute, the substitute heading in from an acute angle to wrap up the result.
Stellenbosch will return to the same venue on Sunday afternoon when they take on Orlando Pirates in the first leg of the MTN8 semi-finals. Chiefs will be hosting Mamelodi Sundowns at the FNB Stadium on Saturday in the other last four game.
