Stellenbosch FC back to winning ways in Premiership after Barns sends Chippa United packing

Stellenbosch FC midfielder Sanele Barns struck his second successive goal at the Danie Craven Stadium to secure a 1-0 Premiership victory over Chippa United on Wednesday night and revive his team’s quest to return to the CAF Confederation Cup next season.

The home team seemed still to be suffering from the disappointment of exiting the continental competition at the semi-final stage to Tanzanian outfit Simba FC last Sunday for the majority of the clash against the Chili Boys.

The Maroons could not get their usual slick passing game going at the Danie Craven Stadium, and were equally not able to put together their trademark transitions. 

But with news filtering through that Sekhukhune United, who are still holding on to the coveted third place that comes with automatic CAF Confederation Cup qualification, were leading second-placed Orlando Pirates, Stellies kicked into gear.

Up stepped inspirational captain and Bafana international Fawaaz Basadien, with the skipper floating a teasing ball to the edge of the Chippa box, which found Barns, who controlled the ball with his chest before toe-poking past Darren Johnson in the 83rd minute. 

It followed up Barns’ strike last week that also proved to be the difference against AmaZulu. 

Stellies had earlier fashioned a chance down the right flank when the ball fell kindly to Devin Titus, but the striker snapped his shot, and it went sailing high over Johnson’s cross-bar.

Steve Barker’s team are now well-placed on 41 points, and still have one game in hand on Sekhukhune (44), who beat Pirates 1-0 on Wednesday night at the Orlando Stadium.

Stellies return to KwaZulu-Natal this weekend, where they will face struggling Golden Arrows on Saturday at the Mpumalanga Stadium (3pm kickoff).