Stars bid farewell to the top flight

by Graeme Jackson

Friday May 11, 2018. 08:15

Platinum Stars will bid farewell to the Absa Premiership by hosting Bidvest Wits at Royal Bafokeng Stadium on 12 May 2018, kick-off at 15h00.

Stars suffered their 16th league loss of the season when they were beaten 3-2 at Golden Arrows on April 28. The Rustenburg side’s relegation from the top flight was confirmed the previous round when they lost 2-1 at home to AmaZulu.

Dikwena have claimed just 10 points from 14 home matches this season, with their only victories as hosts coming against Ajax Cape Town and Polokwane City.

Wits ensured they will not be drawn into the relegation playoffs when they beat AmaZulu 3-2 at home on April 28. In fact, a win in this match combined with favourable results elsewhere could see the Johannesburg side finish in the top eight.

The Clever Boys have claimed just 17 points from 14 away matches this season, with their last result as hosts a 4-0 loss at Orlando Pirates on April 25.

In head-to-head stats, Wits and Stars have met in 27 league matches since 2003/04. The Clever Boys have claimed 11 wins compared to eight for Dikwena, while eight matches have been drawn. The Rustenburg side has won five of their 13 home league matches against the Johannesburg club, suffering four defeats in the process.

When the teams met earlier this season, in Johannesburg in December 2017, Stars claimed a 1-0 away win thanks to a first-half goal from Robert Ng’ambi. The result broke the Clever Boys’ eight-game unbeaten streak in the rivalry.

Stars’ line-up from their 3-2 loss to Arrows on April 28: Mzimela, Mere, Sithole, Mkhabela, Mpeta (Tshabangu 67’), Senne (Ntuli 53’), Gome (Ng’ambi 74’), Baloyi, Phiri, Mekoa, Koapeng.

Wits’ line-up from their 3-2 win over AmaZulu on April 28: Keet, Allie, Khumalo, Klate (Ritchie 90'+1), Monare, Pelembe (Pule 55'), Hlanti, Gyimah, Motshwari, Frosler, Majoro (Rodgers 65').