Platinum Stars sink deeper into the relegation zone

by Phumzile Ngcatshe

Saturday Mar 03, 2018. 22:43

Gift Sithole's goal could not help Platinum Stars bag a win after losing 2-1 to Free State Stars in their Absa Premiership tie on Saturday night at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium.

The loss sees the hosts remain placed at bottom of the table with 17 points from 23 matches.

Dikwena came close to scoring in the opening half when a Robert Ng’ambi header went inches wide of the target in the 19th minute.

The hosts probed for an opening goal and the big Malawian midfielder would come close in the 23rd minute again when his effort was saved by Bangare from close range.

Three minutes to the interval Sithole scored for the Rustenburg-based outfit after a great cross from Gerald Phiri - the defender was unmarked in the box and unleashed a shot giving Sangare no chance, 1-0.

The second half failed to produce sparks as Dikwena protected their slender lead, but Stars pushed for an equaliser.

Finally, in the 81st minute Luc Eymael’s men were awarded a set piece in a promising area and Anas converted with a powerful header in the box to beat Mzimela, 1-1.

Anas completed his brace with two minutes to go against the run of play when he beat Mzimela with a low shot from a tight angle, 2-1.

In the end, Stars held onto their lead as they move to number three on the table with 37 points from 23 league matches this season.

Platinum Stars: (1) 1 (Sithole 42’)
Free State Stars: (0) 2 (Anas 81', 88’)

Platinum Stars: Mzimela, Mthethwa (Nwedihanga 50’), Gcaba, Sithole, De Jongh, Baloyi, Mere, Tshabangu, Norodien, Phiri (Rambuwane 87’), Ng'ambi

Free State Stars: Sangare, Mahamutsa, Phungwayo, Mobbie, Keita, Vilakazi (Anas 69’), Jantjie, Masehe, Makhaula (Dlamini 80’), Cosse, Mthembu (Maphakisa 46’)