Two well taken second-half goals by Tsepo Ramokala earned Platinum Stars a hard-fought 2-1 win over a lethargic Wits in a disappointing Absa Premiership showdown played at Milpark on Wednesday night.
Wits led 1-0 at half-time.
The win boosted Stars’ hopes of qualifying for the top eight at the end of the season. Stars have moved into 10th spot and have enjoyed a remarkable recovery since coach Miguel Gamondi took over in December. Wits are still fifth but need at least three points to be sure of a place in the new Top Eight Cup at the start of next season.
The Students got off to the best possible start when their Brazil-born striker, Marcos de Jesus, headed home Richard Rantjie’s first-minute corner to put the Clever Boys into the lead.
Stars almost equalised in the fifth minute but Ivan Zwane’s screamer soared centimetres over the home side’s crossbar.
De Jesus should have made it 2-0 but he failed to connect a well-aimed cross on 20 minutes.
Stars rattled the woodwork in the 44th minute when South American striker Luis Renteria’s shot completely outfoxed Wits keeper Moeneeb Josephs, who stood rooted to the spot as the powerful drive flew past him. But the Wits skipper was relieved when the shot cannoned off the upright.
But the visitors got it right five minutes after the break when Renteria laid on an inch-perfect pass for teammate Ramokala, who equalised with a well-taken goal.
Renteria was named man of the match but it was Ramokala who was the toast of Stars and earned his side three valuable points when he scored the winner seven minutes from time.
Wits pushed hard for the equaliser but failed to break through the well-marshalled Stars defence. — Sapa