KAIZER Chiefs are beatable, if you have a plan to counter their efficient football, according to Platinum Stars coach Allan Freese ahead of his side's first leg MTN8 semi-final against Amakhosi tomorrow (Royal Bafokeng Stadium, 8.15pm).

Freese seemed set yesterday on keeping his opponents guessing on the make-up and approach of his side, clearly hoping Stars will be more of an unknown quantity having rebuilt after losing key players in the off-season.

Stars are the defending champions in the MTN8, having been guided to that trophy and the Telkom Knockout by Freese last season for an unprecedented cup double.

"Maybe we'll approach it differently from other times we played Chiefs, maybe we'll be the same. We'll go back to Rustenburg and see what approach to use," Freese said.

"We are the defending champions but it means nothing. We've got to pull up our socks and play even better if we want to retain the trophy."

Among Stars' new recruits, Ndumiso Mabena, who signed a three-year deal from Orlando Pirates, has been in early scoring form, netting twice in Wednesday night's 2-1 home win against Free State Stars.

"We didn't try to change the way he plays to how Platinum like to play," Freese said. "He's scored three goals in three games, and that makes me very happy."

Stars have been a stumbling block to Chiefs on a few occasions in the past two seasons, including in last campaign's Knockout semifinals.

Amakhosi coach Stuart Baxter has been pleased at the focus shown by his team at this early stage of the season.

"It's a good start. I'd be crazy to say something different. If you'd offered me three [wins] from three [matches], and the scores and the way we've played I'd have taken it in a heartbeat," Baxter said after Chiefs' 2-1 PSL win against Black Aces on Wednesday.

"But it is only a start. And the players have got to keep on playing."