Stars stay third despite loss

Rustenburg - Platinum Stars managed to hold on to third place in the Absa Premiership despite losing 3-2 to Bloemfontein Celtic in a league match at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Wednesday night.

Fortunately for Dikwena, Kaizer Chiefs failed to beat Free State Stars and played to a 2-2 draw in a league match at the same time.

That result combined with Platinum Stars’ loss leaves the Rustenburg-based side in third place on the table with 47 points, a point above Chiefs with one league game to go this season.

Celtic, on the other hand, moved up to tenth place with 35 points, four points behind ninth placed SuperSport United and unable to qualify for the top eight.

On the half hour mark Celtic opened the scoring when Lyle Lakay played Thapelo Morena through on goal and he made no mistake with just the keeper to beat, 1-0.

The home side levelled matters four minutes into the second half when Eleazar Rodgers headed home a Vuyo Mere cross, 1-1.

In the 52nd minute Platinum Stars took the lead after a long range shot from Letladi Madubanya found the corner of the goal, 2-1.

Ten minutes later Lakay restored parity once more after a powerful 24-yard free-kick from the Celtic man hit the back of the net to make it 2-2.

Lakay turned provider in the 74th minute when a clever pass from him set substitute Fiston Abduol Razak into space and he duly finished to make it 3-2.

Platinum Stars were afforded a chance to steal a point in the dying seconds of the game when Musa Nyatama brought down Ndumiso Mabena inside the box and the referee pointed to the penalty spot.

Vuyo Mere stepped up for the home side, but saw his penalty brilliantly saved by Celtic goalkeeper Patrick Tignyemb which earned the away side the win.