Kaizer Chiefs extended their winning run in the DStv Premiership with a 2-1 victory over ten-man Stellenbosch FC on Saturday evening.
Chiefs welcomed back Siyabonga Ngezana from suspension following their win at Maritzburg United and afforded Samkelo Zwane a start in midfield in place of the absent Yusuf Maart.
The Amakhosi were dominant around ten minutes and hit the front when Ashley Du Preez slotted in from the penalty spot as Olwethu Makhanya committed a rash foul in the box.
It got worse for the Maroons five minutes thereafter when goalkeeper Sage Stephens picked up his marching orders for handling the ball outside the area.
This completely restructured the visiting team's playing personnel as the dismissal forced Devon Titus to be substituted for the reserve goalkeeper Lee Langeveldt to come on the park.
Chiefs increased their tally around the half-hour mark when a mis-timed clearance outside the area saw Keagan Dolly take hold and watched his shot deflect in the bottom-corner.
A third was in sight for the Glamour Boys ten minutes to halftime through a first-time volley by Zwane from a smart angle, but his effort struck the side-netting.
Stellenbosch got themselves back into the contest when Ibraheem Jabaar got on the end of a neat through-ball and poked the ball beyond the advancing Brandon Petersen.
The goal gave the Western Cape side some encouragement as they looked to carve out a couple more openings, but Petersen provided some crucial interventions.
Du Preez almost put Chiefs out of sight in the in the 79th minute but his long-range effort was brilliantly palmed away by Langeveldt, who also kept out Mduduzi Shabalala's long-range strike.
Stellies almost snatched a point in the dying stages of the second half, but Petersen produced a fine save with his foot to ensure Chiefs walk away with the spoils.
Confirmed line-ups:
Kaizer Chiefs: Petersen, Solomons, Dove, Ngezana, Hlanti, Sithebe, Zwane, Shabalala, Dolly ©, Du Preez, Saile
Subs: Khune, Kwinika, Ngcobo, Matlou, Mashiane, Mahlatsi, Bimenyimana, Sekgota, Duba
Stellenbosch FC: Stephens, Makhanya, Sibande, Van Rooyen, Nduli, Mendieta, Sibiya, Jabaar, De Jong, Titus, Rayners
Subs: Langeveldt, Mgaga, Basadien, Ortiz, Mngomezulu, Mcaba, Adams, Boji, Van Wyk
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