Stellenbosch FC returned to winning ways in fine style after thrashing AmaZulu FC 5-0 in the Betway Premiership on Thursday night.
Betway Premiership
Teams: AmaZulu 0-5 Stellenbosch FC
Date: 23 January 205
Venue: King Goodwill Zwelithini
Stellies gave new signing Thato Khiba his debut, as the big regulars such Titus, goalkeeper Sage Stephens, Fawaaz Basadien and Andre de Jong were recalled after they were rested in a 5-0 defeat to RS Berkane.
Usuthu, meanwhile, made only two changes from their narrow win over Magesi, as Hendrick Ekstein and Rowan Human were brought back.
Chances were few and far between in the early exchanges, as the sides relied on long range efforts to break the deadlock.
However, Khomotjo Lekoloane got the breakthrough for Stellies ten minutes before the break with a strike in the box from a quick turnover.
Steve Barker's charges gained momentum after that and created a few good chances and Usuthu were fortunate to head to the interval only 1-0 down after goalkeeper Veli Mothwa made crucial saves.
The KwaZulu-Natal side tweaked their system to be more attacking early in the second stanza after Celimpilo Ngema replaced Bongani Zungu.
However, AmaZulu were left exposed again from a counter-attack shortly before the hour-mark after Titus doubled the lead for the visitors with a strike in the box from a quick counter-attack.
The confidence was already high for Chumani Butsaka a moment later as he got the third goal for the Cape Winelands side with a strike from outside the box.
Stellies did not allow Usuthu to time to recover, as just on 66 minutes Titus made it 4-0 and completed his brace with a shot in the box from a cross by Kazie Godswill.
The Maroons were just clicking going forward as Ibraheem Jabaar rounded off the scoring in the last ten minutes with a close-range shot after he was teed up by Thabo Moloisane, with the visitors moving up to seventh spot.
Here's how they lined up:
AmaZulu: 44. Mothwa, 4. Hanamub, 12. Fielies, 45. Mngonyama, 26. Jooste, 8. Motshwari, 34. Zungu, 27. Ekstein, 19. Moremi, 21. Human, 9. Ighodaro
Subs: 50. Ofori, 17. Gumede, 42. Mthethwa, 2. Mobara, 25. Ngobeni, 10. Ngema, 18. Brooks, 15. Mbanjwa, 37. Sithole
Stellenbosch FC: 17. Stephens, 2. Onyango, 5. Lekoloane, 21. Basadien, 24. Moloisane, 8. Nduli, 19. Khiba, 15. Butsaka, 34. Titus, 18. De Jong, 9. Cupido,
Subs: 30. Masuluke, 26. Mcaba, 6. Jurgens, 3. Mdaka, 16. Enyinnaya, 28. Palace, 27. Jabaar, 20. Barns, 11. Phili
