Manqele claims a point for Free State Stars

Edward Manqele scored an equaliser just before halftime for Free State Stars against Platinum Stars on Saturday night. Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix

Edward Manqele scored an equaliser just before halftime for Free State Stars against Platinum Stars on Saturday night. Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix

Published Oct 21, 2017

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BETHLEHEM – Free State Stars and Platinum Stars shared the spoils in a 1-1 Absa Premiership draw at a wet and cold Goble Park in Bethlehem on Saturday night.

The visitors could well have taken the lead inside the opening 10 minutes when their hard-working Malawian midfield kingpin Robert Ng’ambi seemed to have been hacked to the ground inside the Platinum Stars’ penalty area, but no foul was given.

However, in the 33rd minute, the North West-based club were awarded a penalty.

Defender Bangali Keita tried to block a shot at close-range and the ball struck his arm.

Striker Bongi Ntuli, on loan from Mamelodi Sundowns, made no mistake from the penalty spot to give the struggling visiting club the lead.

Just 11 minutes later, the men from Bethlehem managed to find the equaliser when a long throw-in from the right found midfielder Sinethemba Jantjie, whose volleyed shot inside a crowded Platinum Stars penalty area ended up with Edward Manqele heading home past goalkeeper Dino Visser.

The Platinum Stars midfield, with Ng’ambi and Vuyo Mere playing key roles, managed to bottle up the Free State Stars engine room, bringing about a relatively easy night in goal for visiting goalkeeper Badra Sangare.

For the home team, former Orlando Pirates player Paulus Masehe worked hard in midfield, while Mohammed Anas was always on the lookout for chances upfront.

African News Agency (ANA)

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