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Johannesburg - Platinum Stars climbed to second place in the league standings with a 4-0 win over strugglers Black Leopards in Phokeng, outside Rustenburg, on Saturday.
Kaizer Chiefs played to a goalless draw against Golden Arrows in a simultaneous fixture in Durban to retain their seven-point lead in the Absa Premiership standings, and while Stars coach Cavin Johnson believed Amakhosi had already secured the league title, he said his side were still willing to fight for points.
"I think Chiefs have won it," Johnson said after the game.
"We'll give the best we can, and the gods of football might think differently about Chiefs, but I don't think so."
While Stars climbed one point above title holders Orlando Pirates, who held a game in hand, Leopards continued to flounder just outside the relegation zone.
Stars dominated the first half, with Sibusiso Msomi scoring from a deflected pass in the 33rd minute to put the hosts ahead.
Rodney Ramagalele had perhaps the best opportunity for Leopards three minutes later, but he missed the target.
And while Mogakolodi Ngele came close with three minutes left in the opening stanza, firing centimetres over the bar, he made up for it in injury time with a direct strike from a free kick to give the home side a 2-0 lead at the interval.
With his side continuing to control the game, Mthembu Siphelele did well on the hour mark to stretch the home team's advantage, controlling the ball in the area to outclass two defenders and find the back of the net.
Patrick Malokase made sure in second-half injury time, tapping the ball in to seal the 4-0 result.
