Hendrick Ekstein netted the only goal of the game as Kaizer Chiefs narrowly defeated Platinum Stars 1-0 in an Absa Premiership encounter at the FNB Stadium, writes MARSHALL GOUTS.

Chiefs XI: 32 Khune, 23 Molangoane, 4 Cardoso, 30 Ngezana, 24 Masilela, 27 Ekstein, 31 Katsande, 22 Zulu, 25 Parker, 8 Castro, 29 Moon.

P Stars XI:31 Mzimela, 2 Mere, 5 Sithole, 24 Mkhabela, 44 Gcaba, 46 Gome, 18 De Jongh, 6 Baloyi, 45 Norodien, 47 Tshabalala, 37 Ntuli.

There was not much goalmouth action to speak in a first-half which lacked quality from both teams.

The first effort on target ws taken by Ryan De Jongh in anger in the 14th minute, with the effort going inches wide of the post.

Ryan Moon came close for Chiefs, but his heaader from Joseph Molangoane’s cross went over the bar.

Leonardo Castro, too, came close with a long-range effort but his stinging effort from far out was well-saved by the Stars shot-stopper.

Neither side were t break the deadlock as the two teams went into the break deadlocked at 0-0.

Chiefs started the second half the brighter of the two teams and broke the deadlock when Molangoane’s cutback into the ares was met by Hendrik Ekstein, who made no mistake to his side the lead.

Willard Katsande came agonisingly close to doubling his side’s leas when he rose highest to meet Bernard Parker’s corner, however it went inches wide.

In the end, Chiefs ran out 1-0 victors to all but end Dikwena’ chances of surviving the relegation drop.

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