Fileccia brace secures Stars win

Cape Town - Free State Stars extended their unbeaten run in the Absa Premiership to four matches as they beat Polokwane City 2-0 at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday evening, with Andrea Fileccia scoring both goals late on.

For Rise and Shine, the result extends their winless streak to six matches in what was their first outing since parting ways with coach Kosta Papic earlier this month. The result takes Ea Lla Koto to 10 points from seven matches, while City remains on five points.

Stars offered the first threat at goal, with Belgian forward Fileccia shooting wide in the fifth minute to begin an exchange of chances for both teams which prevailed for the remainder of the first half.
 
Cole Alexander came closest to breaking the deadlock with a shot on goal in the 25th minute, but Stars goalkeeper Daouda Diakite made an excellent finger-tip save to deflect the ball away.
 
Diakite’s opposite number, George Chigova, was called upon to make a good save just before the interval, holding onto a stinging shot from Danny Venter to ensure the half finished goalless.
 
Polokwane looked the more dangerous side in the early stages of the second half, with Linda Shiba denied by Diakite in the 51st minute.
 
The teams continued to trade scoring chances and the game looked set to end in a stalemate until Stars substitute Makhehlene Makhaula teed up Andrea Fileccia to score with his left foot in the 82nd minute.
 
And the striker soon added a second in the 89th, this time from an assist by Reabetswe Rakoti to seal the three points for the visitors.