Former Kaizer Chiefs forward marked his return to Stellenbosch FC with a goal on his very first touch, contributing to a thrilling six-goal draw against Polokwane City FC, as two other Betway Premiership encounters also ended in stalemates on Tuesday night.
Ashley Du Preez ensured Stellenbosch FC celebrated their 300th league match with a point, netting an 80th-minute equaliser against Polokwane City FC at Seshego Stadium to get off the mark for the season.
It was Du Preez’s first match since reuniting with the Mother City-based outfit, and he announced his return with a bang.
Rise and Shine dominated the opening exchanges as they looked to capitalise on home advantage. Their early pressure paid off after 16 minutes when Giovanni Philander poked home from close range to give Polokwane City the lead.
However, Stellies quickly regrouped in pursuit of an equaliser. Their persistence was rewarded in the 23rd minute as Sinoxolo Kwayiba netted his first goal for the club to restore parity.
The two sides went into the half-time break locked at 1-1, but Stellies struck on the hour mark through the reliable Devin Titus, who registered his first league goal of the campaign to put the visitors ahead.
Polokwane City refused to back down, and Surprise Semangele Manthosi drew the home side level in the 69th minute.
The home side then reclaimed the lead through Raymond Daniels in the 75th minute. However, five minutes later, Du Preez scored with his very first touch of the game—his first goal since returning to the Cape Winelands—to secure a point for Stellenbosch.
The result leaves Polokwane City at the top of the log with four points from their opening two matches, while Stellies registered their first point of the campaign following a defeat to AmaZulu FC in their season opener.
CHIPPA UNITED, RICHARDS BAY FC SETTLE FOR A DRAW
At Dobsonville Stadium, Chippa United and Richards Bay FC settled for a share of the spoils [1-1]. Chippa started on the front foot in search of an early breakthrough and were deservedly rewarded when former Lerumo Lions FC striker Ntuthuko Mlotshwa opened the scoring.
Mlotshwa headed home from a pinpoint Justice Figuereido cross in the 24th minute to give the home side the lead. The Chilli Boys went into the break ahead, but the Natal Rich Boys restored parity shortly after the restart through Baggio Tuli-Ngenovali Nashixwa in the 48th minute. The draw leaves Chippa sitting seventh with two points, while Richards Bay have picked up one point from their opening two matches.
Meanwhile, at Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Marumo Gallants and Kruger United played out a cagey 0-0 stalemate, with neither side posing a serious threat in a quiet first half. The Village Boys finished the match with 10 men after Thendo Mukumela received a straight red card in stoppage time. Both Kruger United and Marumo Gallants leave the encounter with a point apiece.
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