Stellenbosch FC's target of reaching the CAF Confederation Cup play-offs was significantly boosted by back-to-back Group B wins over Angola's Desportivo Lunda-Sul.
On Sunday evening, Stellenbosch ran out 2-0 winners at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium after winning their first meeting 1-0 in mid-December.
These two successive wins allowed Stellenbosch to move into second place behind pace-setters RS Berkane of Morocco, who is undefeated after three matches and has nine points. Stellenbosch has six points after four matches.
The log standings could change later Sunday because RS Berkane will play Stade Malien, who have four points after a win and a draw from their three opening matches.
With this outcome, winless Lunda Sul remains rock bottom on the standings with a point after four games. They seem certain to end Group B's wooden spoon holders by the time the Confed Cup reach the play-offs.
Stellenbosch would have enjoyed a psychological advantage over the visitors who suffered a 1-0 defeat in Angola in their first meeting last month.
They used this advantage to take the initiative and as the first half play wound its course, Stellenbosch enjoyed a lion's share of possession after a shaky start.
Chumani Butsaka (central attacking midfielder), Jayden Adams (defensive midfielder) and Sanele Barns (right back) were the pick of the Stellenbosch players. They helped to fashion a few scoring chances, but Stellenbosch failed to convert.
Artur Crespo, Lunda Sul's attacking midfielder, looked to change the flow of the game with excellent runs when transition opportunities beckoned, However, Stellenbosch's rearguard averted danger by stopping the attacks just ahead of the penalty area.
Both attacks battled to make final third entries and this prompted players to fire attempts from range, but defences remained intact by the time Zambian referee Hillary Hambaba sounded the halftime whistle.
Moments after the teams returned for second-half play, Stellenbosch took a deserved 1-0 without raising a sweat.
The Ivory Coast-born Olivier Touré took a throw-in deep inside the Lunda Sul half and when the ball landed in the penalty box, the visiting defence was guilty of ball-watching.
This allowed Andre de Jong, the lone ranger up front in the team's 4-2-3-1 playing pattern, to pounce on the ball in the crowded goalmouth.
He slipped the ball into the net with a tame effort, despite losing his balance (1-0).
Stellenbosch midfielder Khomotjo Lekoloane threatened almost immediately afterwards but his effort was wide of the mark.
A few minutes later he was again the picture as he wormed his way past the opposition defence, but he was bundled off the ball in front of the goals.
Hambaba had no hesitation in awarding Stellenbosch a penalty and New Zealander De Jong stepped up to bag his second goal in the match.
As it turned out, this was the final goal in the match although Stellenbosch should have added two more by the time the match ended.