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Platinum Stars down Kaizer Chiefs 2-0

Gift Sithole of Platinum Stars clears the ball from Gustavo Paez of Kaizer Chiefs during the Absa Premiership 2016/17 game between Platinum Stars and Kaizer Chiefs at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg on 17 May 2017. Anton de Villiers/BackpagePix
Gift Sithole of Platinum Stars clears the ball from Gustavo Paez of Kaizer Chiefs during the Absa Premiership 2016/17 game between Platinum Stars and Kaizer Chiefs at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg on 17 May 2017. Anton de Villiers/BackpagePix

As their feeble season continued, Kaizer Chiefs coach Steve Komphela increasingly wore the look of a medical practitioner with a diagnosis but in short supply of medicine.

Their 2-0 loss to Platinum Stars at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg on Wednesday night on their penultimate match of the season, exposed their defensive frailties that have been their Achilles heel all season long.

Stars ensured this victory through first half goals by midfielders Solomon Mathe in the 22nd minute and Enocent Mkhabela on the stroke of half time to leave Amakhosi sitting fifth place on the log.

Even if they win their last match against newly crowned champions Bidvest Wits next weekend at home, they will finish outside the Caf club competition places which is a poor return.

This is a club that with 29 of the 30 matches played in the league so far, they have heavily relied on 32 year-old midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala who is their leading goal scorer in the league with seven to his name.

If he will still be around next season, Komphela must find the medicine to try and cure his team’s ailments or they will remain a shadow of their former self as it was evident during this campaign that is headed to end empty handed.

For Stars, this was a welcome result as the three points have opened up the possibility of the Rustenburg-based side finishing in the top eight if events of the last day of the season, where they travel to SuperSport  United, goes their way.

In the first half, Gerald Phiri supplied a cross that landed on the head of Mathe who somehow managed to out jump taller Chiefs defenders Ramahlwe Mphahlele and Lorenzo Gordihno and beat Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune inside the box.

On the stroke of half time, Stars increased their lead when Mkhabela took advantage of a mistimed clearance by Tsepo Masilela in the danger area to beat diving Khune with an overhead kick.

 - TMG Digital/TMG Sport

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