Dikwena suffer defeat in Rustenburg

by Phumzile Ngcatshe

Saturday Dec 09, 2017. 20:08

Platinum Stars suffered a 1-0 loss at home against Kaizer Chiefs in the Absa Premiership on Saturday evening at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium.

Amakhosi netted through Siphiwe Tshabalala's fine header in the second half to walk away with the maximum points.

On the other hand, the loss means the Phokeng-based side now moves to the 14th spot with 12 points after 14 league matches.

The Naturena-based side started on a high note and made more entries into Dikwena’s final third, but could not beat goalkeeper Dino Visser.

However, the hosts improved after the 10th minute when Bonginkosi Ntuli had a great chance as he beat Daniel Cardoso in the box, but his final shot was off target and hit the side of the net.

With no clear cut chances after 20 minutes, Robert Ng’ambi had an opportunity to score in the 32nd minute when he received a pass on the edge of the box, yet the Malawian blasted his effort over the crossbar.

With both outfits attacking each other, there were no goals at the interval.

Steve Komphela’s men came back with purpose in the opposite half and intensified their probe for an opening goal.

Nevertheless, Dikwena attacked and it was Katlego Otladisa who had a wonderful opportunity in front of goal in the 51st minute, but he was denied by Itumeleng Khune, who punched the ball away from danger.

A few minutes later, skipper Vuyo Mere produced a dangerous set piece eyeing the far corner, but Khune was alert to parry it for a corner.

Chiefs also fought back and introduced Tshabalala and Bernard Parker after 60 minutes of play, and Willard Katsande saw his header collected by Visser after a delivery by Tshabalala.

However, their efforts were rewarded in the 71st minute when Tshabalala capitalised from a poor defending and scored with a header from Philani Zulu’s cross.

As they were running out of time, Roger De Sa’s men piled pressure on their visitors and Molangoane nearly scored an own goal as he attempted to clear the ball, but Khune made a save.

For the visitors, the win means Chiefs have ended their five-match winless run as they now sit at number two on the log with 19 points from 14 matches.

Platinum Stars 0
Kaizer Chiefs (0) 1 (Tshabalala 71’)

Platinum Stars: Visser, Mnguni, Zulu, Mwedihanga, Sithole, Msomi (Nyanda 54’), Otladisa, Mere, Ntuli (Matlakala 68’), Masalesa (Monama 79’), Ng’ambi

Kaizer Chiefs: Khune (c), Ngezana, Zulu, Hadebe, Cardoso, Katsande, Jayiya, (Tshabalala 56’), Maluleka, Paez (Meyiwa 78’), Molangoane, Zuma (Parker 56’)