Dikwena win clash of the Stars

A late strike by ‘super-sub’ Mogakolodi Ngele helped Platinum Stars to a 1-0 win over Free State Stars in an Absa Premiership encounter at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg on Sunday.

Both sides struggled to find a way past the opposition defence in the opening exchanges, with chances few and far between.

Jurie Basie was lucky not to have seen red for what looked like a professional on Robert Ng’ambi in the 33^rd minute, the Malawian was straight through on goal.

The best chances of the half came in the closing stages of the stanza with Tintswalo Tshabalala brushing the top of the crossbar before Richard Henyekane only managed to direct a powerful effort straight at Siyabonga Mpontshane with no defenders in sight.

Chances continued to be few and far between, with Ea Lla Koto looking the most likely to score.

Second half substitute Ngele went close for the hosts guiding a side footed effort just wide following good work from Siphelele Mthembu down the right flank.

Paulus Masehe thought he had found the winner in the 85^th minute but his celebrations were cut short by the linesman, who rightfully flagged the Ea Lla Koto skipper for offside.

Ngele found the winner for Dikwena in the third minute of stoppage time, Mthembu beautifully set up the Botswana attacker, who in turn finished with ease.

The loss stretches Ea Lla Koto’s winless streak in the league to seven games.

Platinum Stars (0) 1 (Ngele 90+3’)

Free State Stars 0

Platinum Stars: Mpontshane, Mere, Mhlongo, Gumede, Mpeta, Nyanda (Mbatha 60’) , Sarr, Ng’ambi, Msomi (Ngele 60’), Tshabalala, Botes (Mthembu 52’)

Free State Stars: Motsoeneng, Basie, Sambu, Ouro-Akoriko, Thlone, Kerspuy, Bobe (Sekola 63’), Masehe, Mashego (Esterhuizen 79’), Henyekane (Wiltwer 84’), Venter

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