Durban City extend winless run on home soil
by KickOff Reporter · KickOffDurban City remain without a win on home soils after playing to a goalless draw against Stellenbosch FC in the Betway Premiership on Tuesday evening.
Betway Premiership
Teams: Durban City v Stellenbosch FC
Result: 0-0
Scorers: NA
There was no margin for error for either the host or Maroons who looked to bounce back from last week’s narrow defeat to Golden Arrows to get back in the top eight, whilst the Team of Choice came eager to build on their win over Kruger United.
Stellenbosch were keen to register the breakthrough and make a settled start when George Matlou latched onto a loose ball in the area following a spill by goalkeeper Federic Asare and shot over the with the deadlock at his mercy.
The Team of Choice overcame the nervous opening and an exciting one-touch combination between Gaston Sirino and Samkelo Maseko opened up the defence to produce a shot at goal, but Given Msimango cleared off the goal-line.
City still probed within the closing stages to halftime when Sirino came short to the area to draw a cutback and get a shot in from a promising position, but the Uruguayan midfielder failed to trouble Stellenbosch goalkeeper Sage Stephens.
Second Half:
The contest remained a tense affair early in the second half and had the host come close again through a delivery out wide to Bandile Shandu in the area, but the fullback couldn’t make contact.
Coach Gavin Hunt looked to revive their approach in the 61st minute and made a trio of substitutes in Quwan Plaatjies, Thabiso Lebitso and Chumani Butsaka with Raoul Daniels, Kgaogelo Ramushu and Bradley Grobler removed.
Former Kaizer Chiefs striker Tashreeq Morris almost gave the host something to smile about in the closing quarter following a speculative effort in the box from a layoff by Keletso Sifumba, but he was smothered.
The Maroons reversed the spell of pressure minutes thereafter from a teasing attempt by Sinoxolo Kwayiba with the defence caught napping, but Asare showed up and produced a brave stop.
Both teams got chances in the latter stages following a point-blank header by Jean Lubumba flashed across the face of goal and it finished even-stevens as their slow start to the season continues.
Upcoming League Fixtures:
Durban City:
1. Orlando Pirates (A)
2. Milford FC (A)
3. AmaZulu FC (H)
Stellenbosch FC:
1. Sekhukhune United (H)
2. Kruger United (A)
3. Kaizer Chiefs (A)