Free State Stars gave their fans something to cheer about this festive season when they beat inconsistent Kaizer Chiefs 2-0 in an Absa Premiership match played at the Charles Mopeli Stadium in QwaQwa on Wednesday.
This is Stars’ second win in a row under new coach Steve Komphela.
Stars meant business from the start, pushing forward in numbers in search of the opener.
Ea Lla Koto midfielders Prince Olomu and Tebello Mofokeng were unlucky not to grab the opener in the third and fifth minutes respectively when they shot wide with only Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune to beat.
The home side continued to pile pressure on the Chiefs defence — which that looked disjointed — and their efforts were rewarded in the 16th minute when Mofokeng broke the ice with a clinical finish following a great pass from Ruben Cloete from the left flank.
The goal jolted Chiefs into life, and Stars goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene was forced to make a stunning save in the 23rd minute to deny Chiefs midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala the equaliser from close range. Chiefs’ shaky defence was caught napping again in the 27th minute when Olomu doubled the lead through a low shot inside the penalty box.
Stars midfielder Hleza Mofedi almost made it 3-0 in the 33rd minute when his thunderous shot went over the crossbar.
The Amakhosi tried their best to reduce the margin, but failed to penetrate the strong Stars defence, led by captain Duncan Lechesa.
Chiefs’ Nigerian striker, Ibe Zito Ogbonna, missed a great chance to pull one back when he shot wide with Mweene at his mercy in the 66th minute. — Sapa