Iqraam Rayners took advantage of some sloppy defence as Stellenbosch rode their luck to pull off a shock 1-0 win over Orlando Pirates at the Cape Town Stadium yesterday.
His 21st-minute goal ensured a classic smash and grab success as Pirates pounded away but left with nothing in another performance without the requisite polish. Stellenbosch were brave in defence and are now above Pirates on the log.
The game started at a furious tempo as wave after wave of red-shirted Pirates stormed the Stellenbosch defence in swashbuckling style. But Pirates could not make the possession count.
Last week it was poor finishing but this time it was ferocious defending, led by Robyn Johannes with Mogamad de Goede and Sibusiso Mthethwa also in a three-man central defence, and Nyiko Mobbie and Marc van Heerden at fullback.
Thembinkosi Lorch probed but could not find openings and when one eventually did come for Tshegofatso Mabasa in the 15th minute, he dragged his effort across the face of goal and wide of the target.
Two minutes after that Stellenbosch keeper Boy de Jong tried to be cute clearing a back pass and almost got caught by Mabasa.
Defensive slip unpunished
But while he got away with that, a similar defensive slip at the other end was punished.
Wayne Sandilands passed to Alfred Ndengane, who hit a shallow square ball to fellow central defender Ntsikelelo Nyauza that was picked off by Rayners, just outside the Pirates' penalty box, and proficiently finished by last season's top striker in the National First Division.
Two minutes later it could have been 2-0 but Sandilands did well to save a thumping full volley from Waseem Isaacs, whose podgy frame kept the Pirates defence busy throughout the encounter.
A minute later Sandilands had to make a double save from Isaacs and Mobbie as Stellenbosch stormed forward.
But that did not last long and the game returned to the pattern of Pirates in possession and Stellenbosch defending as if their lives depended on it.
It needed Sandilands to feign an injury to allow Kabelo Dlamini and Gabadinho Mhango to come on at halftime.
They injected more energy into the Bucs attacks but it was all too fast and furious.
Lorch did get a cracker on target in the 60th minute but De Jong made a strong save. He made an even better stop to deny a close- in stab at the ball by Mabasa soon after.
Stellenbosch might have bagged a brilliant second when Van Heerden tried to catch out Sandilands from long range but he scrambled back to save and avoid another embarrassing concession.
Pirates kept piling on the pressure but got worse with their finishing as panic set in.
Stellenbosch FC(1) 1
Orlando Pirates(0) 0
GOALS: Stellenbosch FC - Iqraam Rayners (21m).
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