Stellenbosch FC returned to winning ways on Tuesday afternoon as goals from Mark van Heerden and Phathutshedzo Nange secured a 2-0 win over Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila at Danie Craven Stadium.
The first half was an action-packed affair and despite ending goalless, both sides created their fair share of goalscoring chances.
The visiting Vhadau Vha Damani started the encounter on the front foot and lodged their first shot on target in the 10th minute, although Stellies keeper Lee Langeveldt comfortably snapped up Nicholus Lukhubeni's long-range strike.
Just three minutes later, the hosts were let off the hook as TTM were denied by the crossbar, before the visitors were awarded a penalty in the 18th minute.
Defender Mogamad De Goede was adjudged to have handled the ball in the danger area, but Thabo Rakhale failed to make the resulting spot-kick count as his shot was saved by Langeveldt.
Stellenbosch redoubled their efforts after the near-miss with the saved penalty, but Ashley Du Preez fired into the side netting while later efforts from teammates Nathan Sinkala and Marc van Heerden were kept out by TTM goalkeeper Washington Arubi.
The opening 10-minute spell in the second half offered up little in the way of goalmouth action but the match would eventually spring back to life in the 65th minute as Van Heerden latched onto a neat pass from Dean van Rooyen before slotting home the opening goal.
Stellies kept pressing forward as they went in search of a crucial second goal and they would eventually get the breakthrough they were looking for in the 81st minute, Nange chipping the ball over the onrushing keeper and into the back of the net.
That goal proved to be the final nail in the coffin for the visitors as Steve Barker's men saw out the remaining minutes to claim all three points on offer.
- TEAMtalk media