RUSTENBURG – Bottom-of-the-log Platinum Stars snapped an 11-match winless streak to beat Polokwane City 2-0 in an Absa Premiership match at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium near Rustenburg on Saturday evening.
Stars, who have gone seven losses and three draws in the league plus a Nedbank Cup exit to Baroka, since their last triumph (against Wits on December 16 last year), finally got their first win of 2018, when striker Bongi Ntuli headed home past City goalkeeper George Chigova from a free kick, in the 75th minute.
With City pushing hard for the equaliser, Stars substitute Gerald Phiri managed to make some headway into the visitors’ danger zone as he beat a few defenders before slotting the ball home wide of Chigova late into second-half stoppage time.
The goals will have eased the blood pressure of Stars coach Roger de Sa, who have had reason to feel hard done by.
His side was not awarded a penalty in the 63rd minute when the ball seemed to hit the hand of City defender Thapelo Tshilo in the visitors’ penalty area.
Earlier in the 70th minute, Chigova kept the visitors in the game when he pulled off a superb save to force a rasping effort from Ayanda Gcaba wide of his goal.
The three points earned by Stars takes them to 21 points from 25 games, and now within reach of 15th-placed Ajax Cape Town, who have 24 points from 25 games.
But who had their league match postponed due to their opponents, Bidvest Wits, being involved in Caf Confederation Cup action at the weekend.
City, in 13th spot on the league table with 30 points from 26 games, are one of the limbo sides where another loss could throw them close within range of the relegation tussle, but a win might push them among the top eight clubs.
The side from Limpopo will host league champions Wits in their next league match next week.