Stellenbosch FC missed the chance pull clear of the relegation zone after playing to a goalless draw against TS Galaxy on Sunday evening.
DStv Premiership
Result: TS Galaxy 0-0 Stellenbosch FC
Date: 08 January 2023
Venue: Mbombela Stadium
Galaxy made three changes to the side that drew with Royal AM, as they were boosted by the return of Djakaridja Traore, alongside recalls for Tshegofatso Nyama and Orebotse Mongae.
Stellies, on the other hand, were unchanged from their draw against Chippa United, as Sihle Nduli came up against his former side.
The visitors got off to a lively start with the combination of Junior Mendieta, Antonio Van Wyk and Ntuli threatening to put them ahead but they were not clinical in front of goal.
The Rockets played from deep in their own half and had a good chance on a transition attack midway through the first stanza after Traore went through on goal in the box and looped a shot over goalkeeper Sage Stephens, who was off his line but the Ivorian's effort sailed slightly over the crossbar.
Steve Barker's charges continued to have the better chances going forward as Nduli had a chance to break the deadlock ten minutes before the half-time interval after he was teed up through on goal by Van Wyk but his toe-poked shot was saved by shot-stopper Melusi Buthelezi.
The game was a cagey affair in the early stages of the second stanza and on the hour-mark, Barker required fresh legs up top, as Siyethemba Mngomezulu replaced Mendieta for a more direct approach.
After Galaxy also changed their structure with their own substitutions, the encounter came to life as Nyama should have given Sead Ramovic's men the lead four minutes later after going through on goal at the near post but his shot hit the side-netting.
In end to end attacks, Mngomezulu also had glorious chance for Stellenbosch moments later after he chased and intercepted a half-cooked back-pass by Given Msimango to go one-on-one with Buthelezi and managed to fire a low shot that lacked power but missed the open goals agonizingly wide.
The Rockets also changed their shape in attack with 12 minutes to go as Bernard Parker made way for Lifa Hlongwane for fresh legs.
Neither side had the momentum in the dying minutes and the game inevitably ended all square, as Gallants extended their unbeaten run to six matches and went up to tenth on the table.
Stellies, meanwhile, played in their sixth consecutive game without a win but moved a place up to 13th on the log.
Here's how they lined up:
TS Galaxy: 38. Buthelezi, 3. Sanoka, 11. Nyama, 5. Msimango, 23. Munyai, 49. Sebelebele, 8. Mbunjana, 7. Mongae, 15. Aubaas, 9. Traore, 25. Parker
Subs: 32. Kolak, 24. Vilakazi, 28. Phohlongo, 13. Hlongwane, 27. S.Mahlangu, 30. Mere, 4. M.Mahlangu, Seema, 47. Teto
Stellenbosch: 17. Stephens, 38. Makhanya, 21. Basadien, 7. Van Rooyen, 6. Mthethwa, 10. Mendieta, 5. Sibiya, 8. Nduli, 23. Adams, 34. Titus, 29. Van Wyk.
Subs: 32. Bombay, 12. Mgaga, 3. Letsoenyo, 11. Khunyedi, 37. Mngomezulu, 26. Mcaba, 2. Sobiech, 25. Andries, 42. Boji
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