Silver Stars consolidated their position on the Castle Premier League table following a 2-0 victory over Bloemfontein Celtic in a tough clash staged at Seisa Ramabodu Stadium on Sunday.
The encounter started 45 minutes late as there was confusion about the official time scheduled for the kick-off.
Owen da Gama’s charges played with purpose and were tactically better than the hosts, whose strikers were unable to finish when on attack.
The result saw them move from the 13th spot to claim a spot in the middle of log.
The visiting team soaked up the pressure as the game progressed and their efforts were rewarded when Oscar Ntwagae put them into the lead in the 29th minute. The scorer, who was unmarked, rose above the Celtic defenders to head home a super corner kick.
Stars sealed the game in 88th minute when Dingane Masanabo fired a powerful shot, easily beating Celtic’s ‘keeper to the near pole.
The lanky striker capitalised on a costly mistake by a defender who failed to clear.
Phunya Sele Sele displayed their mettle by creating scoring opportunities and from those, defender Xolani Makhoba was denied by Gareth Ormshaw in the 33rd minute from a corner kick taken by Siyabonga Nkosi.
International goal-poacher Lebajoa Mphongoa saw his long-range drive going into the safe hands of Ormshaw, who made crucial saves to deny the hosts in both halves of the match played on a slippery pitch.
Da Gama’s warriors defended well throughout the entire game and succeeded in frustrating the Free State side’s strikers, whose scoring attempts came to nothing.
In an effort to change the course of the match, Celtic substituted anchor midfielder John Maduka for striker Jurry Merahe and brought on Aaron Lepele in favour of Boitumelo Moleyane, who scored against his former team Orlando Pirates in a midweek tie played at Ellis Park.
Later on, Celtic also replaced Lebajoa for lanky Collins Chabalala, who could hardly threaten Stars.
Former Moroka Swallows striker Da Gama displayed his coaching capabilities by making two shrewd replacements in order to secure the three points.
The Limpopo side substituted Eshmael Maluleke in the 70th minute in favour of Masanabo and Ramokala in the 87th minute for Nathaniel Maise. — Sapa