Chiefs eke out win over Stellies to keep Champions League hopes alive

The race for the second Caf Champions League spot continues and could go down to the wire after Kaizer Chiefs managed to eke out a 2-1 win over Stellenbosch FC.

A 10-men Stellies made Chiefs sweat for the DStv Premiership win at FNB Stadium on Saturday evening to keep their fourth position.

Their rivals for the second spot in the league, Orlando Pirates beat Richards Bay 2-0 earlier on Saturday.
And third placed SuperSport United played to a 1-1 draw against Chippa United also on Saturday night.

All three – Pirates, SuperSport and Chiefs – are on 40 points after 23 games and are 19 points behind Sundowns who have won the league for the seventh time in a row.

Nine minutes into the game, Samkelo Zwane tested Sage Stephens with a long range shot but the keeper was equal to task and managed to make the save.

Chiefs got off to a dream start when they were awarded a penalty in the 10th minute and Ashley Du Preez converted from the spot.

And then five minutes later, their opponent were reduced to 10 men when keeper Stephens was sent off. He had commited a professional foul when he handled the ball outside his box.

Devin Titus was sacrificed for Leee Langeveldt to come on. And in the 40th minute, Steve Barker made further changes.

He took off Qobolwakhe Sibanda for Fawaaz Basadien and Andre De Jongh for Jayden Adams as he looked for a way back.
Keagan Dolly doubled the lead for Chiefs in the 25th minute when his shot from just outside the box was deflected past Langeveldt.

Stellies got back into the game first minute into the game when Nhlanhla Mgaga, who had come on at half time for Sihle Nduli set up Ibraheem Jebaar who beat Brandon Petersen to make it 2-1. And after that Stellies believed they could get something out of the game and gave as much as they got from Chiefs.

But their efforts were thwarted by Chiefs  and although both sides had half chances but none could get a goal, and the home side pocketed the full points.