Stars look to avoid early relegation

by Staff Reporter

Wednesday Apr 25, 2018. 11:35

Platinum Stars will look to postpone what looks to be an inevitable relegation from the Absa Premiership when they host AmaZulu at Royal Bafokeng Stadium on 25 April 2018, kick-off at 19h30.

Stars suffered a 1-0 loss away to Kaizer Chiefs on April 15, a result which left them seven points adrift at the bottom of the table with only nine left to play for in the 2017/18 season.

Dikwena have claimed just 10 points from 13 home matches this season, though their last result as hosts was a 2-0 win over Polokwane City in early April.

AmaZulu have won just one of their last seven league matches after they were beaten 2-1 at home by Orlando Pirates on April 15. The Durban side has picked up just six points from the last 21 up for grabs.

Usuthu have claimed just 12 points from 13 away matches this season, though their last three results on the road have been draws at Free State Stars, Kaizer Chiefs and Bloemfontein Celtic.

In head-to-head terms, AmaZulu and Stars have met in 21 league matches since 2003/04. Usuthu have claimed nine wins compared to eight for Dikwena, while four matches have ended in draws. The Rustenburg side has claimed six wins and suffered three defeats in 10 home matches in the rivalry.

When the teams met earlier this season, in Durban in September 2017, they played to a 1-1 draw thanks to goals from Thabang Sesinyi and Rhulani Manzini. Dikwena are unbeaten in their last four league matches against Usuthu.

Stars’ line-up from their 1-0 loss to Chiefs on April 15: Mzimela, Mere, Sithole, Mkhabela, Gcaba (Koapeng 81’), Gome, De Jongh, Norodien (Phiri 64’), Baloyi (Mekoa 66’), Ntuli, Tshabangu.

AmaZulu’s line-up from their 2-1 loss to Pirates on April 15: S. Mbatha, Sikhakhane, M. Gumede, Ouro-Akoriko, Mabiliso, Ncube, Mnguni, Cele (Manzini 83’), Karuru, Nomvethe (Ncobeni 73’), Khenyeza (Morton 68’).