Stars look to bounce back from heavy defeat

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Feb 08, 2019. 08:12

Free State Stars will look to bounce back from a heavy Absa Premiership defeat when they host Chippa United at Goble Park Stadium on 9 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. The Free State side’s last scheduled match (at home to Polokwane City on February 2) was postponed.

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.

Chippa have picked up four points from their last two matches, with their most recent outing a 1-1 draw away to fellow relegation battlers Baroka FC on February 3.

The Chilli Boys have claimed just five points from 10 away matches this season. The Eastern Cape side has yet to pick up a win on the road in 2018/19.

In head-to-head stats, Stars and Chippa have met in 11 league matches since 2012/13. The Chilli Boys have claimed five wins compared to four for Ea Lla Koto, while two games have been drawn. The Free State side boasts an unbeaten record as hosts in the rivalry, with three wins and two draws in five matches.

When the teams met earlier this season, at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in early October 2018, Chippa claimed a 1-0 win home thanks to a second-half strike from Ruzaigh Gamildien. It extended the Chilli Boys’ unbeaten run in the rivalry to six league matches.

Chippa’s line-up from their 1-1 draw with Baroka on February 3: Mzimela, Macheke, Nsabiyumva, Shitolo, Tlolane, Rakhale, Malepe (Malama 67’), Komane, Mbenyane (Gamildien 65’), Lentjies, R. Manzini (L. Manzini 81’).

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.