Grobler saves Stellies’ blushes in Sekhukhune draw

Geninio Palace © Gallo Images

In a tense encounter to kick off the weekend’s Betway Premiership festivities, Stellenbosch needed a late Bradley Grobler equalizer to take home a point in a 1-1 draw alongside Sekhukhune United at the Athlone Stadium on Friday night.

After a rather subdued first-half, Bethuel Muzeu opened the scoring shortly after the hour-mark, while Grobler scored his 124th PSL goal three minutes from time. Stalemates appear to be a hallmark of this fixture, as the two teams recorded their eighth draw in their last 12 matches.

The game commenced at a timid pace at the Athlone Stadium with neither side finding rhythm early on as possession was shared evenly during the first 10 minutes of the match.

In a rare chance for Sekhukhune, Lehlogonolo Mojela missed a header attempt in the 16th minute following a cross from the right-flank. As was the case for much of the first-half, Stellies and Sekhukhune battled to establish any fluid passing patterns.

At the other end of the pitch, Raoul Daniels looked dangerous going forward, particularly when Stellenbosch took the direct route over the top. Apart from a couple of crosses on either side of the box, Stellies’ often fell short at the final hurdle, similar to that of Sekhukhune United.

Sekhukhune started the second-half as the better side, stringing passes together while Stellenbosch backtracked during the first 10 minutes after the restart.

While there was an injection of energy into the game at the hour mark from both sides, Babina Noko profited first and broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute through Muzeu. Following a period of swift interplay en-route to the Stellies box, Mojela’s initial shot took a massive deflection before Muzeu guided the ball home from close range.

Stellenbosch struck the crossbar in the 68th minute after Lehlogonolo Matlou found space on the Sekhukhune area. Grobler was next to strike after he watched his left-footed effort sail over the crossbar moments later.

The home side managed to draw on back in the 86th minute with Grobler adding his name to the scoreboard. With Stellies going direct, Siviwe Nkwali whipped in a cross from a deep area on the right-hand side of the pitch as the veteran striker picked out the perfect position to slot the ball away on the edge of the six-yard area.

Stellenbosch piled on the pressure during the closing stages of the match but were unable to find the target.

Stellenbosch: (0) 1 (Grobler 86’)

Sekhukhune United: (0) 1 (Muzeu 62’)

Stellenbosch: Stephens, Mashego, Vena, Msimango, Nkwali, Kwayiba (Sibande 76’), Matlou, Palace, Lebitso (Butsaka 76’), Grobler, Daniels (Plaatjies 63’)

Sekhukhune United: Buthelezi, Matsimbi, Ndlovu, Gibani, Rammala, Khupe (Khiba 46’), Mkhize, Mokoane (Cardoso 83’), Muzeu (Ohizu 67’), Phiri (Nkwana 67’), Mojela (Mandi 67’)

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