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Team of Choice deny Dikwena a home win

Cape Town - Maritzburg United extended their unbeaten spell to four games after holding on for a 0-0 draw with Platinum Stars at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Stars shaded what turned out to be a rather dull and uninspired opening 45 minutes. The hosts grew stronger after the break, but wasted several good chances to score as United held on determinedly for the draw.

Whether it was he heat, or perhaps the two sides' efforts in midweek - Stars won 4-0 away at Cape Town City, while Maritzburg beat Orlando Pirates 2-1 at home, the first half was a rather flat affair with neither side posing much of a threat in front of goal.

It took over 20 minutes for the first effort to arrive, but Benson Shilongo was well off target with a header.

Tintswalo Tshabala also sent a shot closer to the corner flag than the goal before Gift Sithole headed wide from a corner.

The visiting side made some forays towards the Stars box in the closing 10 minutes of the half and two chances fell to Kurt Lentjies about 20-yards out, but he miscued the first and sent the second straight at Mbongeni Mzimela in goal.

Dikwena upped their efforts after the break as Maritzburg found their defence under increasing pressure.

Chances followed for Shilongo, but his shot was deflected wide, before Robert Ng'ambi went close with two efforts, the first having to be cleared off the line by defender Maritzburg Bevan Fransman.

After Lebogang Maboe spurned a decent chance in the box for United, Stars substitute Henrico Botes was inches away from finding the net with a 77th minute pile-driver from 30-yards.

Botes again came close with a powerful strike and then only some brave goalkeeping from Maritzburg keeper Bongani Mpandle denied Stars after they had a series of shots in succession three minutes from time.

Dikwena probably deserved the win after their second half efforts, but had to settle for the point as the KZN side played out the remainder of the game with relative comfort.

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