Stars look to add to Chiefs’ woes

Kendrick Ekstein of Kaizer Chiefs is challenged by Robert Ngambi of Platinum Stars during the Absa Premiership match between Kaizer Chiefs and Platinum Stars 14 September 2016 at FNB Stadium Pic Sydney Mahlangu/ BackpagePix

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Dec 08, 2017. 10:30

Platinum Stars will look to add to Kaizer Chiefs’ woes in the Absa Premiership when the teams meet at Royal Bafokeng Stadium on 9 December 2017, kick-off at 18h00.

Stars claimed their first away win of the season - and extended their unbeaten run to six matches - with a 1-0 win at Polokwane City on December 6. The result took the Rustenburg side out of the relegation zone for the first time in 2017/18.

Dikwena, though, have claimed just five points from their six home matches thus far in the campaign. They have only beaten Ajax Cape Town at home, but will come into this clash confident that a second three-pointer is on the cards.

Chiefs have gone five league matches without a win after they were beaten 1-0 at Chippa United on December 6. The Soweto side has managed just one goal in the sequence and the pressure on coach Steve Komphela continues to build.

The Amakhosi had enjoyed an unbeaten away record until their midweek trip to the Eastern Cape, but a haul of 12 points from seven games on the road is still a respectable return, and one they will be looking to add to in this match.

In head-to-head stats, Stars and Chiefs have met in 28 league matches since 2003/04. The Amakhosi have claimed 10 wins compared to seven for Dikwena, while 11 matches have been drawn. The Rustenburg side has claimed four wins from 14 home matches against the Soweto giants, suffering six defeats in the process.

Last season Stars took four points off Chiefs, holding the Amakhosi to a 1-1 away draw in the first half of the campaign before claiming a 2-0 home win in the return game. Dikwena are unbeaten in their last five league matches against the Soweto club.

Stars’ line-up from their 1-0 win over Polokwane on December 6: Visser, Mnguni, Mwedihanga, Sithole, Zulu, Mere, Masalesa, Ng’ambi, Msomi, Otladisa (Nyanda 66’), Ntuli (Matlakala 84’).

Chiefs’ line-up from their 1-0 loss to Chippa on December 6: Khune, Cardoso, Hadebe, Ngezana, Zulu, Katsande, Maluleka, Tshabalala (Jayiya 84'), Molangoane, Ekstein (Paez 55'), Parker (Zuma 78').