Chiefs fall to Stellies at Soccer City

Stellenbosch FC © Gallo Images

Kaizer Chiefs’ hopes of making up ground in the Betway Premiership title race suffered a blow on Tuesday evening when they were beaten 2-1 by Stellenbosch FC at FNB Stadium.

The Amakhosi were hoping to cut the gap to co-leaders Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, but instead suffered a second league defeat of the campaign to remain in fourth and eight points off the pace – though they do have a game in hand on the leading pair.

Stellies, meanwhile, claimed a fifth win in the Premiership this season and rose to 11th place – now four positions and five points clear of the relegation playoff zone.

Chiefs appeared to be on course for victory when they claimed the lead 10 minutes before the interval, as Flavio Silva turned home Glody Lilepo’s cross from the right flank.

Yet the Cape Winelands side responded early in the second half via Langelihle Phili, who arrived late at the far post to turn home a brilliant cross from Devin Titus.

And Titus – who put in a man-of-the-match performance – then turned goal scorer in the 87th minute, deciding the game with a beautiful curling finish after some intricate build-up play from Stellenbosch.

The teams will return to Premiership action this weekend, with Stellenbosch at home to AmaZulu on Friday night, while Chiefs will host the Soweto derby against Pirates the following afternoon.

Kaizer Chiefs (1) 1 (Silva 36’)

Stellenbosch FC (0) 2 (Phili 51’, Titus 87’)

Chiefs: Peterson, Solomons, Kwinika, McCarthy, Mako, Ngcobo (Cele 70’), Maboe (Sirino 86’), Lilepo, Chislett (Shabalala 70’), Du Preez (Vilakazi 70’), Silva (Duba 70’)

Stellenbosch: Stephens, Jooste (Butsaka 43’), Godswill, Stanic, Lebusa, Mdaka (Tiwani 46’), Phili (Mokobodi 89’), Jabaar, Mthiyane (Palace 46’), Titus, Cupido (Khanyi 77’)

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