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Johannesburg - Platinum Stars struck three times in the first half to finish their impressive Premiership campaign in second place, coasting to a 3-0 win over SuperSport United in Phokeng, outside Rustenburg, on Saturday.
Jabu Maluleke and Clifford Mulenga had chances to put SuperSport ahead in the first half, but both their efforts were wayward, and Stars took control of the match.
Tintswalo Tshabalala broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark with a left-footed strike from close range, and Mogakolodi Ngele stretched the advantage five minutes later.
Thuso Phala netted just before the break, capitalising after United keeper Ronwen Williams failed to clear the ball, and the high-flying Rustenburg side took a comfortable lead into the interval.
The visitors had an opportunity to pull one back in the 52nd minute, but Franklyn Cale fired wide to the left, and at the other end of the park, Tshabalala's attempt was blocked by Edwin Gyimah.
The hosts sat back in the second stanza, and Bradley Grobler managed to break through for SuperSport with 14 minutes remaining, but his shot was saved by Stars goalminder Kabelo Dambe.
Grobler came close again with two minutes left but he hit the crossbar as Stars held on for the win, finishing one point behind champions Kaizer Chiefs in the league standings.
SuperSport, who drew 17 of their 30 league fixtures to end the campaign in sixth position, will face Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup final, the last match of the domestic top-flight season, in Durban next week.
