Platinum Stars draw at home but move to 15th spot

by Phumzile Ngcatshe

Wednesday Nov 22, 2017. 21:58

Platinum Stars failed to grab their second Absa Premiership win when they drew 0-0 against Bloemfontein Celtic on Wednesday night at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium.

Despite the stalemate, the Rustenburg-based side now sit at the 15th spot on the log standings with eight points from 11 matches so far.

Although Dikwena had a bright start in the opening five minutes, Brian Mwila could not beat Patrick Tignyemb who made a save in the box at the second attempt.

With chances few and far between, towards the 20th minute Celtic's Lantshene Phalane tried to beat Mbongeni Mzimela from a distance, but the keeper was equal to the task in the 27th minute.

Despite dominance by Roger De Sa's men, their lack of sharpness in the final third meant the scores remained level at half time at 0-0.

In the second half, the hosts found the back of the net through Mwila's header from a set piece, but it was disallowed as he came from an offside position.

However, it was Siwelele that looked threatening after the hour mark as they utitlised their wingers, yet Mzimela showed his aerial quality.

The 70th minute saw Stars' skipper Vuyo Mere coming close to beating Tignyemb after a long pass found him behind Celtic's defence, he showed a wonderful first touch but missed the target with the keeper to beat.

After introducing Kabelo Mahlasela and Tshegofatso Mabaso, Veselin Jelusic's men upped the ante and the latter saw his effort saved by Mzimela, who conceded a corner in the 79th minute.

As both sides were running against time, Mere picked out an unmarked Robert Ng'ambi with a sublime pass, but the Malawian blasted his effort off target two minutes later.

With both camps fighting for a goal, their efforts in the dying minutes could not yield the desired results and it ended in a dull draw.

The stalemate elevates Phunya Sele Sele to the fourth spot with 16 points from 11 games.

Platinum Stars 0
Bloemfontein Celtic 0

Platinum Stars: Mzimela, Mnguni, Sithole, Zulu, Mere, Otladisa (Matlakala 80'), N'gambi, Mwila (Links 63') , Nwedihanga, Msomi, Masalesa

Bloemfontein Celtic: Tignyemb, Pfumbidzai, Rikhotso, Ndengane, Jembula (Letsoalo 69'), Motshegwa (Mahlasela 55'), Letlabika, Baloyi, Hotto, Nyundu (Mabaso 63'), Phalane