Stars hoping to extend Chiefs’ winless run

by BackPageTXT

Friday May 03, 2019. 15:00

Free State Stars, in their fight for Absa Premiership survival, will look to extend Kaizer Chiefs’ winless run when the teams meet at Mbombela Stadium on 4 May 2019, kick-off at 15h00.

Chiefs have gone five league matches without a win after they were beaten 1-0 at Bloemfontein Celtic on April 27. The Soweto giants have taken just 11 points from the last 30 up for grabs.

The Amakhosi have claimed 19 points from 14 home matches this season, with their last result as hosts a 1-1 draw with Golden Arrows on April 23.

Stars themselves have gone four league game without a win and suffered their 14th defeat of the season when they were beaten 2-1 at Golden Arrows on April 28. The game at least saw Sibusiso Hlubi score for the third successive time.

Ea Lla Koto have claimed just nine points from 14 away matches this season, with their last win on the road coming against Bloemfontein Celtic in February.

In head-to-head stats, Chiefs and Stars have met in 38 league matches since 1996. The Amakhosi have claimed 25 wins compared to just three for Ea Lla Koto, while 10 matches have been drawn. The Soweto side has claimed 13 wins and suffered just one defeat in their 19 home matches against the Free State club.

When the teams met earlier this season, at Goble Park in September 2018, Chiefs won 2-0 away from home thanks to goals from Gutsavo Paez and Philani Zulu. Ea Lla Koto have not beaten the Amakhosi in a league clash since December 2010.

Chiefs’ line-up from their 1-0 loss to Celtic on April 27: Bvuma, Mphahlele, Cardoso, Gordinho (Ntiyantita 46’), Hadebe, Zulu (Andrianarimanana 46’), Katsande (Ntshangase 75’), Maluleka, Zuma, Mahlasela, Parker.

Stars’ line-up from their 2-1 loss to Arrows on April 28: Mbambo, Makhaula, Mathumo, Mahamutsa, Jappie, Tchilimbou, Masehe, Mokhuoane (Masina 71’), Khabane (Mobbie 64’), Hlubi (Dlamini 84’), Rodgers.