Pule Mmodi strikes for Kaizer Chiefs to defeat Stellenbosch

Stellenbosch locked horns with Kaizer Chiefs at Athlone Stadium on Wednesday evening in a Premier Soccer League anticipated clash.

After a difficult start to the campaign, Kaizer Chiefs got their season back on track in the 3-0 win over AmaZulu last week; and they were looking to string back-to-back PSL wins in the battle with the Stellies.

In a match that ended goalless at half-time, with Stellenbosch looking the better team for most of the game, Kaizer Chiefs were able to score twice from in-form Pule Mmodi and Saile to edge out a 0-2 hard-fought win over the Stellies.

90 + 6’| #ST 0 : 2 #KC

Full time score: Stellenbosch FC 0 : 2 Kaizer Chiefs (Mmodi 52’, Saile 89’)

DStv Man of the Match: Brandon Petersen#Amakhosi4Life #DStvPrem #Khosified pic.twitter.com/FaLYfN8DNw

— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) August 30, 2023

The brilliant Chiefs' goalkeeper Brandon Petersen went home with man of the match award for his performances that ensured that Stellenbosch got nothing from the encounter.

Let's get to read what went down!

Goalless at halftime

The opening exchanges saw Stellenbosch looking the better side and looking to take an early lead.

The Stellies continued asserting their dominance over Kaizer Chiefs even as the visitors began settling into the game.

The pressure continued from the hosts but Chiefs cleared every danger that came their way.

Players in action, Stellenbosch vs Kaizer Chiefs — Credit: Icon Sport

In the 31st minute, the home side came close to scoring after Chiefs' keeper Petersen and three defenders tried to pass the ball slowly out of the box, and then Stellenbosch stole the ball on the edge of the box, but Chiefs managed to clear the danger.

A breathless 45 minutes of action ended with Stellenbosch piling on the pressure on the Chiefs but neither side really came close to scoring.

Kaizer Chiefs opened the scoring from Pule Mmodi

The second half began with the Stellies threatening from a freekick in the 47th minute, but Petersen claimed it with ease; and just a minute later, Titus of Stellenbosch was carded for a heavy challenge on a Chiefs' player.

Castillo had a decent attempt at goal from the ensuing freekick, however his shot flashed inches away from the goal post.

The goal that has been itching close to come finally came in the 51st minute and it wasn't home that scored but the visitors!

A superb pass from Pule Mmodi to Mdantsane, who passes back to his team-mate who then unleashes a thunderbolt that went into the top of the net! It was an incredible goal, and the striker's third league goal of the season!

What a goal by Pule Mmodi for Kaizer Chiefs #KaizerChiefs #Amakhosi4Life #Dstvprem Mdantsane #UCLdraw Bayern Munich Fabrizio Maboe Modiba pic.twitter.com/oHZb7Yfpbo

— Mzansi_Soccer11 (@MzansiSoccer11) August 30, 2023

Buoyed by the goal, AmaKhosi pressed hard again, but Stellenbosch would counter-attack down the right only for Titus to go in high as he challenged Ditlhokwe for the ball; the Chiefs man went down after being caught hard on his shin. The referee walks over to Titus with the yellow card in his hand, the second of the evening and a red card!

Reduced to ten men and one goal down, Stellenbosch were in the worst situation imaginable, but Rayners came close to scoring for the Stellies in the 62nd minute!

Chiefs were okay with Stellenbosch holding the ball, as they stayed deep to defend their one goal lead. The home team poured men forward to try and draw level, the visitors held firm, cutting out every danger.

The rest of the second half was all about Stellenbosch with barrage of attacks despite playing with one man down, but none went in as the superb Petersen proved hard to beat between the sticks.

But then in the 88th minute, Chiefs won a free kick close to the area that was lofted into the box, Saile lifted and planted a superb header into the back of the net to make it 0-2!

Petersen was the hero of the evening having kept Chiefs in the game for long periods much to the chagrin of Stellenbosch who lost out in the end after a great performance.