Kaizer Chiefs pay dearly for their misses as Stellenbosch dent their title hopes

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Kaizer Chiefs pay dearly for their misses as Stellenbosch dent their title hopes
Aden McCarthy in action against Stellenbosch FC. Photo - Kaizer Chiefs

Kaizer Chiefs missed an opportunity to move within six points of PSL leaders Orlando Pirates following a 2-1 loss at home to Stellenbosch FC on Tuesday.

Chiefs went ahead first through a well-worked goal scored by Flavio da Silva 10 minutes to the break but Stellies replied five minutes upon resumption through Langelihle Phili before Devin Titus delivered the killer blow late in the contest.

Chiefs asked the questions early with Glody Lilepo missing from close range following a swift counter-attack while Ethan Chislett, making his debut for the club, drew a good save from Stellenbosch goalkeeper Sage Stephens with a well-executed low curling shot.

Inacio Miguel, Kaizer Chiefs vs Stellenbosch
Inacio Miguel, Kaizer Chiefs vs Stellenbosch

Chiefs should have gone ahead in the 31st minute but Ashley Du Preez had perhaps what will go down as one of the misses of the season.

Amakhosi go ahead but pegged back

A good ball was floated into the box and Du Preez met it, beating Stephens, who was way off his line, but with an empty net, the former Stellenbosch striker could not find the target.

However, it took Chiefs just four minutes to go ahead when Lebohang Maboe picked up Lilepo with a lovely pass on the right wing and the Congolese forward delivered a great cross into the box which was met first-time by Silva, who poked past Stephens.

Chiefs went to halftime leading 1-0 but after the break, Stellies took five minutes to draw level. In what was a carbon copy of the Chiefs’ goal, Titus delivered a good cross into the box from the right wing and the ball went past two Amakhosi defenders before Phiri slotted it home at the near post after 50 minutes.

Eight minutes later, Chiefs would have scored a second goal when Mfundo Vilakazi fired in a thunderous low shot that was well kept out by Stephens while Mduduzi Shabalala also forced the Stellies’ keeper into another brilliant act.

Thabiso Monyane and Mosa Lebusa Kaizer Chiefs vs Stelelnbosch
Image – Chiefs

Titus delivers killer blow for Chiefs

In the dying minutes of the game, Chiefs had two great opportunities, one wasted by Lilepo before substitute Gaston Sirino made a good run into the box but failed to control well before passing to Maboe, whose rasping shot went just inches wide.

Chiefs were made to pay for their wastefulness as in the 87th minute, Ibraheem Jabaar found Titus with a great defence-splitting pass and the winger curled in beautifully past Brando Petersen to break Amakhosi’s hearts.

It was the third straight defeat that Stellenbosch have handed Chiefs this season, having eliminated them on post-match penalties from the Carling Knockout last October, before handing them a 2-1 loss in the Nedbank Cup early this month.

It was a massive blow for Chiefs, who are left on 30 points from 16 games, eight behind both Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, who have played 17 games each.

<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a seasoned multimedia sports journalist with a rich background in covering diverse football stories and events in South Africa and beyond.
His extensive coverage spans subjects touching on the PSL, with a focus on the Big Three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns), Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.

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