Johannesburg – Kaizer Chiefs and Platinum Stars shared the spoils in their fifth encounter in four months after an action-packed 2-2 draw at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Tuesday night.
Chiefs came from behind twice against a determined Stars to salvage the draw and continue undefeated in the league.
Robert Ng'ambi and Eleazar Roger got on the scoresheet for Dikwena while Siphiwe Tshabalala and Tefu Mashamaite got the equalising goals for Chiefs.
In so doing Amakhosi preserved their unbeaten streak in the Premiership with 11 wins and four draws.
Prior to the clash, the two teams had met four times already this season in all competitions.
Chiefs had the better of the opposition on three occasions while Dikwena won on penalties in the Telkom Knockout.
Dikwena displayed impetus from the onset and were rewarded when they punished the Chiefs defence for a lapse in concentration.
Midfielder Reneilwe Letsholonyane was caught out when Solomon Mathe intercepted the ball and made a quick pass through to Ng'ambi, who chipped over Brilliant Khuzwayo for the opening goal.
Chiefs had early signs of complacency as they appeared too relaxed on the ball unaware of the advancing opposition.
Tsepo Masilela did well to create space between himself and his marker Rofhiwa Tshikovhi and whipped in a cross that fell kindly for Tshabalala in the 16th minute.
Stars striker Ndumiso Mabena did well to lose his defender and unleash a powerful shot that swirled wide of the target in the 24th minute.
Stars midfielder Tintswalo Tshabalala had a quiet game in a more defensive position seemingly in a tactical ploy to thwart Chiefs tricky winger George Lebese.
Dikwena's Mahlatse Makudubela proved a handful for the likes of Morgan Gould in the Chiefs defence with his blistering bursts of pace.
In the 39th minute Mathe played Makudubela through on goal with a overhead pass. The winger blasted the ball on target but Khuzwayo managed to block the shot.
Before the half-time break Dikwena retook the lead with a goal from Rogers.
A loose ball fell kindly for Stars' stand-in captain Thabiso Semenya whose miscued strike wobbled into the box and into the path of Rogers before the referee blew for the interval.
In the second half Amakhosi came out guns blazing after conceding for a second time.
Chiefs mounted some pressure on Stars after an extended period in their half of the field.
In the 62nd minute Mashamaite found the much needed equaliser after a corner-kick from Tshabalala.
The Chiefs attack soon intensified after the equaliser with the defenders encouraged to surge forward for the third goal.
Rightback Siboniso Gaxa took on the Stars defence with a run on the flank but he was tackled and dispossessed by Tshepo Gumede.
Chiefs were unable to get the winning goal after a late surge while Stars absorbed the pressure to share the spoils. – Sapa