BLOEMFONTEIN – Platinum Stars put the brakes on their downward spiral on the Absa Premiership log as they thrashed Bloemfontein Celtic 3-0 at the Dr Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
Malawian striker Gerald Phiri scored two goals within the first 10 minutes of the match to ensure a tough day at the office for Phunya Sele Sele, as the hosts are affectionately known.
There was also crowd trouble in stoppage time, as angry Celtic supporters threw objects on to the pitch, including broken seats.
That led to the match being temporarily suspended with five minutes to play, but after a short delay, the match was completed.
The visitors went ahead as early as the seventh minute when Phiri fired home from a free kick, after having been fouled near the goal area by Celtic defender Wandisile Letlabika.
Three minutes later, Phiri scored his second goal from another free kick after Celtic’s Alfred Ndengane had brought down Stars striker Henrico Botes, who was back from suspension.
Celtic’s Cameroonian goalkeeper Patrick Tignyemb was beaten a third time in the 76th minute when Bongi Ntuli scored with his right foot from a cross from Robert Ng’ambi to seal the match.
For the hosts, left wing Deon Hotto was a continuous threat to the Stars defence, while the highly experienced midfielder Vuyo Mere kept the Celtic rearguard on their toes.
Stars goalkeeper Mbongeni Mzimela was competent between the posts when called on to do so, but had much less work to do when compared to his counterpart.
The Celtic coaching staff will be concerned about the number of free kicks being given away by their defenders in potential scoring situations, with both Ryan de Jongh and Willem Mwedihanga having found their way into the referee’s book for yellow card offences.
While the Rustenburg-based side have represented South Africa with pride in the Caf Confederations Cup, their league form has been less than impressive, having drawn all of their last four matches, as they hovered just above the relegation struggle prior to their trip to the Free State capital.
Stars, now on 19 points from 18 matches, will host Chippa United in their next league encounter on Friday, March 3, while Celtic, who remain on 18 points from as many games, will face title-chasing Wits on the same evening.