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Cape Town - A 0-3 defeat to Sfaxien at the Stade Taeeb Mhiri in a CAF Confederation Cup game in Tunisia on Sunday night has left Platinum Stars rooted to the foot of Group B.
The Tunisians took immediate hold of the game and after a sustained period of pressure, they took an early lead when Kingsley Sokari's rather tame shot from 30-yards went straight through the hands of Dikwena keeper Steve Hoffman.
Robert Ng'ambi had a decent effort on goal in the 18th minute, but Sfaxien keeper Rami Jridi did well to tip the ball over the bar.
Stars however remained off the pace and they were further behind in the 27th minute when Karim Aouadhi scored from the spot after Siyabonga Zulu had needlessly fouled Meher Hanachi.
With their clever movement and passing the hosts stayed on top and should have scored a third just before half time, but Meriah Yassine headed over the bar from just a few yards out.
Serigne Niang was nearly in on goal seconds after the restart, but Hoffman did well to intervene.
But the next goal was not long in arriving as Hanachi headed in a hanging cross at the back post to make it 3-0.
Having avoided conceding a fourth goal only through an off-side call, the South Africans finally had a chance, but Jridi made a good reflex save to keep out Bonginkosi Ntuli in the 70th minute.
Hoffman denied Hanachi his second goal with a superb reflex stop 10 minutes from time and also pulled off a wonderful save to keep out Houssem Habbassi as Stars were at least able to limit the damage in the goals-against column.
After three rounds, Sfaxien lead the group with six points, MC Alger are on five points, Mbabane Swallows have four points, and Dikwena just one.
