Late drama as Stellenbosch hold off Chippa while AmaZulu snatch late win

By SABC Sport
21st March 2026

Stellenbosch FC and AmaZulu FC both claimed important Betway Premiership victories, with the Cape side surviving late pressure against Chippa United and Usuthu leaving it late to edge Polokwane City in a tightly contested encounter.

Mabasa Double Sets Up Stellenbosch Win Despite Late Red Card

Stellenbosch FC secured a 2-1 victory over Chippa United at Athlone Stadium, thanks largely to a first-half brace from Tshegofatso Mabasa, before late drama nearly changed the outcome.

The hosts started brightly and took control midway through the first half. Mabasa opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, finishing from close range after good work from Langelihle Phili. Just three minutes later, he doubled the advantage with a powerful header from an Enyinnaya Godswill delivery to make it 2-0.

Chippa struggled to respond before the break, and Stellenbosch went into half-time firmly in command.

The visitors improved after the interval and were handed a route back into the match in the 81st minute. Sinoxolo Kwayiba calmly converted from the penalty spot after being brought down in the box, reducing the deficit to 2-1.

Chippa pushed forward in search of an equaliser, creating late pressure, including a close-range header from Khaya Mfecane that narrowly missed the target in stoppage time.

The closing moments turned chaotic when Stellenbosch substitute Wonderboy Makhubu was shown a red card deep into added time for a foul, but the home side held on to secure all three points.

The result lifted Stellenbosch to eighth place on 28 points, while Chippa United remained 13th with 20 points.

Matlhoko Strikes Late as AmaZulu Edge Polokwane

AmaZulu FC left it late to claim a 1-0 win over Polokwane City at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium, with Thapelo Matlhoko scoring the decisive goal in the closing stages.

The match began evenly, with both sides creating chances but lacking a clinical edge. Polokwane came closest in the first half when Juan Mutudza struck the crossbar from a direct free kick, while AmaZulu goalkeeper Olwethu Mzimela made key saves to keep the hosts at bay.

AmaZulu also threatened, with efforts from Hendrick Ekstein and Taariq Fielies, but the sides went into the break goalless.

Polokwane looked the more dangerous side after half-time, forcing several saves from Mzimela and creating pressure through Bonginkosi Dlamini and Mokibelo Ramabu.

However, the breakthrough came at the other end in the 87th minute. Substitute Thapelo Matlhoko reacted quickest in the box to turn home a cross from Riaan Hanamub, scoring from close range to give AmaZulu the lead.

Polokwane pushed forward late on but could not find an equaliser, as AmaZulu's defence held firm to see out the win.

The victory moved AmaZulu up to third on 37 points after 22 matches, while Polokwane City stayed seventh with 30 points.