Publications
Partners
Johannesburg - Platinum Stars remain in the Absa Premiership title hunt after a 2-0 victory over Maritzburg United at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Wednesday night.
The match looked to be heading for a goalless draw before Dikwena scored twice in the final seven minutes to keep the heat on league leaders Kaizer Chiefs.
Stars have now closed the gap at the top of the table to three points with two matches remaining, though Chiefs do have a vastly superior goal-difference.
Robert Ng’ambi and Thuso Phala were on target for Stars, who were good value for the win.
The home side made the better start as Henrico Botes and Tintswalo Tshabalala had efforts on goal that went wide.
The opening period was a tight affair that was devoid of clear-cut chances, but Dillon Sheppard created two goal scoring opportunities for himself that were both saved by home goalkeeper Kabelo Dambe.
Orlando Smeekes fired over when well-placed for Maritzburg, while Heinrich Isaacks again forced a good save from Dambe.
The deadlock was finally broken on 83 minutes though and the goal came from the ever-dependable Malawian international Ng’ambi. He picked up the ball in the penalty area and showed great composure to fire home.
As Maritzburg pushed forward for an equaliser it was inevitable they would leave gaps at the back.
Phala used his pace to exploit these as he added a second. After being put into space by Lindokuhle Mbatha, the Bafana Bafana star fired the ball low into the back of the net to seal the win.
The match looked to be heading for a goalless draw before Dikwena scored twice in the final seven minutes to keep the heat on league leaders Kaizer Chiefs.
Stars have now closed the gap at the top of the table to three points with two matches remaining, though Chiefs do have a vastly superior goal-difference.
Robert Ng’ambi and Thuso Phala were on target for Stars, who were good value for the win.
The home side made the better start as Henrico Botes and Tintswalo Tshabalala had efforts on goal that went wide.
The opening period was a tight affair that was devoid of clear-cut chances, but Dillon Sheppard created two goal scoring opportunities for himself that were both saved by home goalkeeper Kabelo Dambe.
Orlando Smeekes fired over when well-placed for Maritzburg, while Heinrich Isaacks again forced a good save from Dambe.
The deadlock was finally broken on 83 minutes though and the goal came from the ever-dependable Malawian international Ng’ambi. He picked up the ball in the penalty area and showed great composure to fire home.
As Maritzburg pushed forward for an equaliser it was inevitable they would leave gaps at the back.
Phala used his pace to exploit these as he added a second. After being put into space by Lindokuhle Mbatha, the Bafana Bafana star fired the ball low into the back of the net to seal the win.
