Phili wins it off the bench for Stellenbosch

Stellenbosch recorded their first win of the Betway Premiership season after they beat Marumo Gallants 1-0 at the Danie Craven Stadium on Tuesday.

Steve Barker's side moved up to 11th place, with Bahlabane Ba Ntwa (6th) finding themselves in a three-way tie with TS Galaxy, Orlando Pirates and AmaZulu on six points.

The Maroons only had one point to show for their efforts after three games following defeats to Kaizer Chiefs (2-0) and Pirates (1-0), while they played out to a 1-1 draw with Magesi.

Gallants made a strong start to the campaign after recording back-to-back 2-1 wins against Richards Bay and the Buccaneers, although they were looking for a bounce back from a 1-0 loss to Usuthu last week.

The possession stakes were fairly even in the first half, but the visitors made better use of the ball as they forced Sage Stephens to make three saves from their four shots at goal.

However, Stellies came closest to breaking the deadlock when Andre de Jong struck the crossbar with a firm header on 24 minutes.

Barker made two changes at the break and their impact was immediate as Muzomuhle Khanyi set up Langelihle Phili to open the scoring in the opening minute of the scoring.

Stellies lead 🍇💥

Steve Barker's substitutions do the trick 😏

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The hosts almost doubled their advantage eight minutes later from Thabo Moloisane's overhit cross which forced Washington Arubi into a fingertip save to keep the Free State outfit in the contest.

Arubi also had to be at his best to deny Khanyi at point-blank range on 77 minutes after Alexandre Lafitte's side applied some sustained pressure on the home goal a few minutes earlier.

In the end, the one goal was enough to inflict a second consecutive defeat on Gallants as the Cape Winelands club put smiles on the home fans' faces.

Stellenbosch (1) 1 (Phili 46')

Marumo Gallants 0

STELLENBOSCH: S. Stephens, K. Enyinnaya, T. Moloisane, H. Stanic, O. Mdaka, M. Mthiyane, L. Nku, T. Khiba (C. Butsaka 75'), G. Palace, D. Titus (K. Lekoloane 75'), A. De Jong (I. Jabaar 82').

MARUMO GALLANTS: W. Arubi, S. Ncube, M. Sikhosana, M. Chabatsane, L. Mabotja, S. Nhlapo, S. Sithole (S. Mbhele 81'), M. Mpambaniso (N. Ndlondlo 69'), D. Msendami (T. Motloung 81'), K. Sithole (J. Clifford 69'), B. Mabuza (K. Mhlongo 89').