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As it happened: Stars v Wits

    PLATINUM STARS 4-2 WITS 

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17:09 - Okay so that's it folks. No doubt Platinum Stars coach Allan Freese will be beaming going into the second-leg of this semi-final. Well done to Dikwena, who seem to be continuing where they left off after finishing second in the ABSA Premiership standings last season. Catch all the action right here on Sport24 next time. Cheers!


17:04 - Man of the Match is Siphelele Mthembu. Good on you for scoring the double mate!


16:59 - That's it folks. Stars take a two-goal cushion into the second-leg on Sept 24 at BIDVest Stadium. Wits have done well to score two away goals though, which should help their plight to make the final of the MTN8. They have it all to play for though if Stars keep this form going.


16:51 - PICTURE

Unhappy camper: Wits coach Gavin Hunt looking livid as his Clever Boys side slump to defeat against Platinum Stars. Hunt will not be happy with the result after assembling a formidable squad to bring in the silverware this season. (Gallo Images)


16:49 - Game drawing to a close now. Three minutes of stoppage time added.


16:42 - Glorious goal by Wits on the counter-attack after playing a long-ball which found Booth upfront on the right. The tall defender doing really well to control the ball before squaring it for Getaneh Kebede to score with cheeky backheel. Top stuff!!


16:41 - GOAL!!!


16:36 - That was some classy stuff from Ngele, who delivered a champagne pass for Mere to lay it off to Botes.


16:33 - This is getting nasty now as Stars go into overdrive after Wits seem to have taken their foot off the gas. Botes making it 4-1 just a few minutes after stepping onto the pitch. 


16:33 - Another one! GOAL!!!!!!


16:31 - That was really some shameful defending from the Wits defender there, who should have cleared that easily.


16:30 - Dikwena are running away with this one now after some dismal defending from Wits allows Mthembu in to score his second of the day.


16:29 - GOAL!!!!!!!


16:26 - Good save from Joseph to deny Stars, who come attacking from the left now. Dikwena's confidence is definitely showing after taking the lead. They could score more...


16:22 - Ngele scores to make sure the home side take the lead and come back from behind. This game has come alive now and Stars are looking sharp!


16:21 - GOAL!!!!


16:20 - Substitution for Stars in the 60th minute - Botes is on for Mbatha.


16:15 - That's a beauty of a beauty of an equaliser from Mthembu, who broke through the middle of the Wits defence before unleashing an unstoppable shot into the bottom left corner. Josephs is livid!! 


16:14 - And there it is!! GOAL!!!!!


16:12 - Stars have gifted Wits with a priceless away goal, which could put the away side here in a very good position going into the second-leg of this semi-final. Stars now have to fight back hard to keep their hopes of reaching the final alive.


16:07 - Ryan Chapman with some exquisite skill on the right flank cutting in before putting his head down and firing a low drive into the bottom right corner. Top stuff from the attacker! 


16:07 - GOAL!!!


16:05 - Okay let's hope for some goals here as the second-half gets going in Rustenberg. 


15:53 - PICTURE


Airborne action: Platinum Stars' Siphelele Mthembu is grounded as Wits players Tinashe Nengomasha and Musa Bilankulu go up for the ball during the MTN8 first-leg semi-final between Stars and Wits at Royal Bafokeng Stadium. (Gallo Images)


15:50 - Half-time: Platinum Stars 0 Bidvest Wits 0. We need some goals here gents!


15:48 - The first-half is coming to a close now and Wits now let another chance go begging.


15:40 - Not enough chances have been created in this match but suddenly the game erupts with some end-to-end stuff. The breakthrough from Mbatha for Stars comes to nothing after delivering an inviting cross for Ngele inside the Bidvest Wits box, but the midfield man arrives too late to capitalise.


15:34 - Wits are holding onto the ball well as we pass the half-hour mark. Papy Faty showing some silky skills there as he skips away from three challenges - fails to make it count though. Still no goals.


15:29 - TWEET:

very disappointing turn out, some teams are paying PRO's for nothing, empty stadium, marketing?? - @Tman_Shandu retweeted by @robertmarawa


15:24 - Some really good passing and build-up play from Stars but Mbatha lets it go to waste as his shot goes wide. This match needs some goals!


15:20 - Matthew Pattison has picked up an early yellow card for Wits after a rash challenge and Solomon Mathe goes down injured - he is replaced by Sibusiso Msomi. Stars coach Allan Freese is not impressed.


15:15 - Oooh! That was close as Stars hit the woodwork with an attempt on goal. Mhlongo fails to put away the follow-up shot, which is scrambled off the line by Wits goalkeeper, Josephs.


15:11 - Great chance there for Wits as an inch perfect cross from Vilakazi comes in from the left and meets the head of Chapman, who directs his effort just wide of the upright. Some good pressure from the Clever Boys!


15:07 - Stars look to be attacking more than Wits after five minutes played. The home team will want to build on their impressive form from last season, but will no doubt be faced with a plucky Wits side coached by Gavin Hunt.


15:02 - And we're off! Platinum Stars get the ball rolling to cheers from the crowd, who seem to lacking in numbers today. Lots of empty seats at Royal Bafokeng Stadium.


14:58 - The players are taking the field at Royal Bafokeng Stadium. Doing the customary handshakes and taking their positions as we await the referee's whistle to get the first leg of this semi-final underway. 


14:30 - Commentary by Sport24 freelancer, Carlo Petersen


14:30 - GALLERY

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14:30 - Just a reminder how this MTN8 tournament works.

The top 8 teams in last season's PSL standings qualify for the tournament.

Platinum Stars (second) beat Free State Stars (seventh) in the first round, 3-0. Wits (fourth), beat Bloemfontein Celtic (fifth) by the same scoreline in their first round clash.


TEAMS:

Platinum Stars:

Siyabonga Mpontshane, Elias Ngwepe, Vuyo Mere, Tshepo Gumede, Benson Mhlongo, Lindokuhle Mbatha, Tintswalo Tshabalala, Solomon Mathe, Robert Ng'ambi, Thabani Mthembu, Mogakolodi Ngele.

Wits:

Moeneeb Josephs, Katlego Pule, Matthew Booth, Musa Bilankulu, Sipho Mngomezulu, Matthew Pattison, Tinashe Nengomasha, Sibusiso Vilakazi, Erwin Isaacs, Ryan Chapman, Papy Faty.


14:30 - Welcome to Sport24's LIVE scoring and interactive commentary on today's MTN8 second semi-final, first leg between Platinum Stars and Wits at the Royal Bafokeng Satdium.


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