Stars look to bounce back from heavy defeat

by Graeme Jackson

Thursday Jan 31, 2019. 08:40

Free State Stars will look to bounce back from a heavy Absa Premiership defeat when they host Polokwane City at Goble Park Stadium on 2 February 2019, kick-off at 18h00.

Stars were on the wrong end of a 5-0 score line when they faced Cape Town City on January 16. It was a fifth defeat from their last six league matches.

Ea Lla Koto have claimed 11 points from nine home matches this season, with their last result as hosts a 2-1 loss to Bidvest Wits in early January.

Polokwane extended their unbeaten run in the league to five matches with a 3-3 draw at home to Bidvest Wits on January 20. The Limpopo side has taken nine points from the last 15 available.

Rise and Shine have claimed 12 points from seven away matches this season, with their last result on the road a 2-2 draw at Chippa United in mid-December.

In head-to-head stats, Polokwane and Stars have met in 11 league matches since 2013/14. Ea Lla Koto and Rise and Shine have both claimed four wins, while three games have ended in draws. The Free State side has won just one of its five home matches in the rivalry, suffering two defeats in the process.

When the teams met earlier this season, at the old Peter Mokaba Stadium in mid-September 2018, Polokwane claimed a 1-0 win thanks to a goal from Bongile Booi. The clubs’ 11 league meetings have produced 29 goals.

Stars’ line-up from their 5-0 loss to City on January 16: Sangare, Mobbie, Mahamutsa, Mbhele, Phungwayo, Jappie (Maruping 70’), Makhaula, Mokhuoane, Dlamini (Jantjie 64’), Tchilimbou (Rodgers 75’), Hlubi.

Polokwane’s line-up from their 3-3 draw with Wits on January 20: Chigova, Kalake, Mbonani, Nkili, Hlongwane (Tlolane 77’), Phiri, Seabi, Booi (Mashumba 63’), J. Maluleke, Musona, Anas (Mpambaniso 90’).