Betway Premiership: Barns’ strike sends Stellenbosch into third

Photo Credit: Stellenbosch FC

Forward Sanele Barns’ first-half goal handed Stellenbosch FC a 1-0 win over AmaZulu FC to move into third place in the Betway Premiership table on Tuesday evening.

With an eye on Sunday's CAF Confederation Cup semifinal match against Simba SC, coach Steve Barker rested first-choice goalkeeper Sage Stephens with Masuluke Oscarine getting the nod. For AmaZulu, coach Arthur Zwane fielded Richard Ofori ahead of Veli Mothwa at Danie Craven Stadium.

Such changes impacted the course of the game which a goalkeeping error decided. Barns popped in at the near post to fire a loose ball into the roof of the net after Ofori had flapped at a delivery from a right flank corner-kick in the 29th minute.

Stellenbosch held onto the lead at the break even though it was clear that the game was far from being safe in the bag.

AmaZulu sought an instant reply in the second half but Stellies defender Ismael Toure arrived in time to whip away to safety striker Elmo Kambindu’s goal-bound effort a few minutes after restart.

Zwane’s side was eventually deprived of the work rate and pace of the Namibian Kambindu who was stretchered off in the 69th minute with a suspected hamstring injury and in his place came Tebogo Mashingo.

Stellenbosch made the most of the opponents’ setback and nearly cushioned their lead when AmaZulu lost possession but Ofori made a telling save to deny Barns.

Usuthu continued to pile the pressure on Stellenbosch but defender Toure and company at the back threw their bodies on the line to ensure a clean sheet.

Barker’s men leapfrogged Sekhukhune United into third place, eight points behind second-placed Orlando Pirates who have three games in hand. Usuthu are stuck in seventh position with their top-four bid undermined.