Chiefs relief after Ekstein’s winner
Their performance was not the best but Kaizer Chiefs did the business and collected all three points against relegation-bound Platinum Stars, beating them 1-0 at the FNB Stadium yesterday afternoon.
The result brought some relief to the under-fire Steve Komphela who had to be escorted out of the ground last weekend as fans bayed for his blood after an embarrassing 3-0 defeat to Chippa United which put paid to whatever chances they had of winning the Absa Premiership.
Despite the win not being easy on the eye, Amakhosi should be commended for putting up a brave display. With fewer fans turning out for yesterday’s match and already making some noise as the team went into the tunnel after the first half with the scores level at 0-0, Komphela’s side came out for the second half better organised and eventually managed to eke out a win which keeps them in the hunt for a Caf Champions League place.
It was Hendriek Ekstein who had a better performance and scored the solitary goal just four minutes into the second period. Ekstein was named Man-of-the-Match for his efforts which saved the team’s blushes.
Chiefs remain fourth after Maritzburg United continued their impressive run with a 2-0 win over Baroka FC to remain third behind Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates.
Yesterday’s result may have just been the final nail in Dikwena’s coffin as the Rustenburg side look headed for the National First Division next season. For a team in a desperate situation as Stars are, they just weren’t able to hold Chiefs.
Playing an Amakhosi side who have not been in a good space lately, they were expected to use it to their advantage and at worst earn a point, especially with Ajax Cape Town widening the gap between them and Stars to seven points after a 1-1 draw against Chippa United.
For Dikwena to survive now, they will have to win all three of their remaining games while hoping the sides above them drop points.