Meshack Khotha

Meshack Khotha

Moroka Swallows, who have been blowing hot and cold in recent Absa Premiership fixtures, were too hot to handle yesterday as they blasted Platinum Stars 6-2 in Germiston.

In the process, James Chamanga set a new PSL record with five goals in a game.

The Beautiful Birds caused havoc in the Stars defence from the onset with Chamanga and Sandile Ndlovu desperately searching for an early lead.

The evergreen Chamanga opened his account in the 20th minute after receiving a pass from Japhet Zwane. Three minutes later he dummied Stars' goalie Wayne Sandilands to gave his side a 2-0 lead. He completed his hat trick in the 25th minute (3-0).

Chamanga's strike partner Ndlovu gave Swallows a 4-0 cushion when he headed home from a cross by Bevan Fransman in the 31st minute. But Stars pulled a goal back through Sipho Mchabe on the stroke of half-time (4-1).

The visitors launched several attacks and were rewarded in the 50th minute when Edward Williams' long-range beat Greg Etafia, reducing the tally to 4-2.

Chamanga scored Swallows' two last goals in the 85th and 88th minutes.

In Durban in another Premiership clash, AmaZulu and Free State Stars shared the spoils after a 1-all draw, reports Canaan Mdletshe.

Referee Robert Smith awarded Usuthu a dubious penalty after adjudging goalkeeper Kenny Mweene to have fouled Dumisani Ngwenya. But justice was done when Mweene denied John Moshoeu in the 13th minute.

There was more controversy when Smith failed to award Stars what looked like a more legitimate penalty when Jimmy Kauleza was clipped by a defender in the penalty box just four minutes later.

In the 32nd minute, the experienced Duncan Lechesa finally broke the ice with his first goal of the season when he outjumped the AmaZulu defence to nod home the opener.

Usuthu finally leveled matters when Siyabonga Mkhwanazi connected well with a through ball from Thabo Mabaso in the 72nd minute.