Absa Premiership match report Platinum Stars v Polokwane City 07 April 2018

Stars had so much ground to make up from the bottom of the table, and were looking to state that right against Bernard Molekwa’s side.

They were nearly handed a perfect start after Edgar Manaka saw his header cleared off the line by two City defenders in the opening minute.

A well-taken free-kick on the edge of the box from Nyiko Tshabangu was brilliantly saved by George Chigova after 10 minutes.

City were struggling to break down a sturdy Dikwena defence, as such the best they could come up with were shorts from afar.

Devoid of confidence, the home side also found it difficult to get through Thapelo Tshilo and company but were looking troublesome with their short-passing on the edge of the box.

On-loan Orlando Pirates defender Ayanda Gcaba missed a glaring opportunity to the opener when he failed to direct a free header on goal following a free-kick.

The league’s top scorer Rodney Ramagalela missed a clear cut opportunity to extend his tally after founding free space at the far post, but he fired horribly wide.

The opener finally came with after 75 minutes when Ntuli headed past Chigova off a delivery from substitute by Gerald Phiri Junior which dazzled the Stars rear-guard.

The Limpopo outfit hit back almost immediately from a corner by Jabulani Maluleke that met Ramagalela who in turn headed against the crossbar.

In added time, Ntuli looked to complete his brace but saw his attempt from the right punched away for a corner by Chigova.

Phiri made the result safe in added time after skinning a defender to coolly beat Chigova at his near post.