Johannesburg – Platinum Stars bounced back from their weekend loss with a 2-1win over Free State Stars in their Premiership match at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Wednesday night.
Both teams came into the game looking for their first wins for the season after Ea Lla Koto lost to Kaizer Chiefs, and Dikwena
were beaten by Chippa United in their league openers.
Former Orlando Pirates player Ndumiso Mabena scored a brace for Dikwena while Angelo Kerspuy scored for Free State.
It was the visitors who settled first in the match as Kerspuy scored the opener for Stars in the fifth minute after goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane parried the ball in the path of the midfielder to finish.
Dikwena had an opportunity to equalise from a freekick after Mabena was hacked down by Robert Sankara, but they fluffed the chance in the 13th minute.
Their persistence eventually paid off as Mabena fired past Free State goalkeeper Ayanda Mtshali to level matters for Dikwena in the 30th minute.
Ea Lla Koto had a chance to restore their lead in the 40th minute but Moeketsi Sekola's final touch was a poor one, as he powered his shot wide of goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane's goal.
In the second half, Dikwena's Mabena headed home his second goal of the night in the 55th minute off an Mduduzi Nyanda corner to give the hosts a 2-1 lead. – Sapa