Posted in Match Report, News, Team News on Feb 07, 2025.
Stellenbosch FC (0) 0
Kaizer Chiefs (1) 1
(Lilepo 4’)
Betway Premiership
Athlone Stadium, Cape Tow
A majestic early headed goal by new signing, Glody Lilepo, was enough to give Kaizer Chiefs a 1-0 victory over Stellenbosch FC in their Bewtay Premiership encounter at the Athlone stadium in Cape Town on Friday evening. The win takes them up to fourth spot in the league table.
Chiefs got off to a flyer, with Lilepo giving them the lead with only three minutes gone. Gaston Sirino played a short corner to Pule Mmodi and then chipped a well-flighted cross into the danger zone, where Lilepo leapt above everybody and planted a perfectly guided header into the far corner of the net leaving Sage Stephens flat-footed in the Stellies goal.
That was the best of the first half action as the heavy pitch made for difficulty in playing quick, incisive football. Instead, the half was littered with niggly fouls from both teams, particularly the hosts, who were struggling to repel the waves of Gold & Black that ebbed and flowed in the direction of their goal. While Mmodi, Sirino and Lilepo showed signs of a growing understanding among them, they were unable to create any clear cut opportunities for the likes of Tashreeq Morris up front. Sirino put in a solid shift, tenaciously winning the ball and putting himself about with determination.
At the other end, a tame shot easily gathered by Bruce Bvuma in the 11th minute amounted to the only threat the home team posed and while Chiefs might feel they ought to have added to their tally, they went into half time in a comfortable position holding a 1-0 lead.
The second half generally continued the scrappy pattern of the first 45 minutes, as the midfield battle heated up as the game progressed. Lilepo and Mmodi troubled the Stellenbosch rear guard a few times, while the Chiefs defence snuffed out any potential Stellenbosch recovery, with Reeve Frosler making a couple of important interceptions and Rushwin Dortley and Inacio Miguel standing firm in the centre.
Mmodi almost added a second in the 70th minute when his curling shot was tipped around the oat by Stephens, although the referee inexplicably awarded a goal kick. Mmodi, again, might have scored on a late breakway but skied his shot after carrying the ball 20 metres forward in the 86th minute.
With Stellenbosch posing marginal threat, Amakhosi saw out the match comfortably, though vigilantly, amid a magnificent backdrop of the melodic singing and rhythmic dancing of the Amakhosi that had Athlone stadium rocking like never before. T
The result increases their points tally for the season to 25 from 17 matches, and they will take great confidence and motivation int their Nedbank Cup tie against Chippa United at FNB stadium on Saturday.
Post match facts:
Kaizer Chiefs were facing Stellenbosch for a 12th time in the league. This was Chiefs’ sixth win.
Chiefs have now won their last three away league games against Stellenbosch. This was Chiefs’ fourth away win over them in their sixth away league games against them.
Stellenbosch are the first team that coach Nasreddine Nabi has managed to do a league double over since joining Kaizer Chiefs.
Glody Lilepo scored his first goal for Chiefs.
Gaston Sirino made his fourth assist in the league this season when setting up Lilepo, He is Chiefs’ leading assist maker this season.
Lilepo is the fourth player from the DRC to score a goal for Kaizer Chiefs and the first since Kabamba Mussasa netted in a 2-1 home win on 7 April 2004, against Moroka Swallows.
Line-ups:
Kaizer Chiefs: Bvuma (44), Miguel (84), Dortley (14), Dithlokwe (24), Frosler (39), Cele (21), Maart © (8), Mmodi (13) (Mashiane (19) 90+6’), Sirino (10) (Shabalala (42) 79’), Lilepo (99) (Blom (6) 89’), Morris (40) (Potsane (11) 79’)
Subs not used: Ntwari (35), Ngcobo (12), Zwane (37), Vilakazi (28), Chivaviro (7)
Coach: Nasreddine Nabi
Stellenbosch FC: Stephens © (17); Toure (45), Mdaka (3) (Palace (28) 68’), Jurgens (6) (Nku (7) 46’), Jabaar (27), Butsaka (15) (Mcaba (26) 46’), Phili (11) (Abrahams (39) 77’), Nduli (8), Moloisane (24), De Jong (18) (Lekoloane (5) 68’), Titus (34)
Subs not used: Masuluke (30); Onyango (2), Andrieas (55), Philander (38)
Coach: Steve Barker
