Siphiwe Tshabalala came off the bench to net the only goal of the game as Kaizer Chiefs secured a 1-0 victory against Platinum Stars, writes MARSHALL GOUTS.
Dikwena want into the encounter on the back of a 1-0 victory against Polokwane City, while Chiefs slumped to a 1-0 defeat to Chippa United.
The Soweto giants enjoyed the first real attack of the game as Joseph Molangoane went on a thrilling run on the right wing and sent in a telling cross to Gustavo Paez, but the forward was unable to make contact with the ball.
Roger De SA’s side should have opened the scoring in 11th minute when he did well to turn his marker inside out, but the striker’s effort went into the side-netting.
Teenage Hadebe produced a world-class tackle to deny Katlego Otladisa a one-on-one opportunity with Itumeleng Khune in the 20th minute as the hosts continued to knock on the door.
Molangoane proved to be a handful with his overlapping runs and skill, but Chiefs’ strikers often failed to get onto the end of his crosses.
The two sides went into the half-time break deadlocked at 0-0. Dikwena upped their efforts at breaking the deadlock in the second half and looked particularly threatening via set-pieces.
Khune did well to keep Chiefs in the game after a swift counter-attacking move by Stars saw Robert N’gambi fire an effort in at goal.
Three minutes later, Khune was at it again as he showed great awareness to keep out Vuyo Mere’s overhit freekick which appeared goalbound.
Steve Komphela opted for the tried and tested and made a double change as Bernard Parker and Siphiwe Tshabalala was sent on for Dumisani Zuma and Bhongolwethu Jayiya respectively.
The substitution almost immediately worked out as Molangoane latched onto a fine cross from Philani Zulu, but it was well saved by goalkeeper Dino Visser.
Tshabalala broke the deadlock in the 73rd minute after a fine cross by Zulu was met with a well-placed header by the veteran midfielder.
Chiefs looked to consolidate their lead as Komphela brought on Wiseman Meyiwa for Paez in the 77th minute.
The Naturena based-outfit maintained their lead to put an end to their five-game consecutive winless streak in the Absa Premiership to run out 1-0 victors.
Photo: Muzi Ntombela/Backpagepix
-This story originally appeared on SportsClub.co.za
