Betway Premiership: Sanele Barns strike helps Stellenbosch see off Amazulu

The deadlock was broken on the half-hour mark when Fawaaz Basadien swung in a dangerous corner that Usuthu goalkeeper Richard Ofori came for and missed and Barns was on hand to finish from close-range.

The visitors had a good opportunity to draw level before the halftime break but Namibian forward Elmo Kambindu saw his header well-saved by home shot-stopper Oscarine Masuluke.

Amazulu pressed for the equaliser after the halftime break and Kambindu had another opportunity but his effort was not powerful enough and was cleared.

Stellies head coach Steve Barker rotated his squad for the encounter with one eye on this weekend's CAF Confederation Cup semi-final first leg clash against Simba in Tanzania.

Sihle Nduli, Andre de Jong and Devin Titus were brought off the bench and the trio certainly added to the home side's attacking threat in the second half.

Another substitute Genino Palace had a good chance to double the lead but Ofori produced a fine save to keep his team in the contest.

Usuthu surged forward in the closing stages but Stellenbosch held on for what could be a vital three points while the visitors remain seventh on the league table.