Stellenbosch FC claimed a much-needed first victory of the Betway Premiership season with a 1-0 victory over Marumo Gallants at the Danie Craven Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Super-sub Langelihle Phili was once again the hero for The Maroons with the SA U20 Afcon winner coming straight off the bench to net the winner to gain the much-needed three points.
Phili has made a habit this season of providing the impetus just when Stellies have needed it, most notably in the MTN8 quarterfinal when he also scored the winner against AmaZulu in extra-time, and did so again with a clean strike from the edge of the box.
Prior to Phili’s introduction after the halftime break, Stellenbosch had struggled to create any clear cut chances with only Andre de Jongh’s glancing header that skimmed off the crossbar their only meaningful effort on goal.
This was partly due to the visitors from Bloemfontein entangling Stellenbosch in a brutish contest.
The Danie Craven Stadium is, of course, a much-heralded rugby venue, and for long periods the Bahlabane Ba Ntwa treated this Premiership clash with the physicality of the oval-ball game.
Both Khumbulani Ncube and Siyabonga Nhlapo used Devon Titus as their personal kicking
bag, sliding through on the Stellenbosch winger with contempt.
Titus was visibly incensed by the lack of protection from the referee, and even more so was coach Steve Barker who understandably lost his cool on the bench, especially with the key clash against champions Mamelodi Sundowns looming this weekend at the Athlone Stadium.
Stellenbosch, however, weathered the storm and can now take confidence into their clash against the Masandawana on Saturday.
