After a quiet start to the first half, Stars finally got the fans on their feet as Danny Venter produced some delightful skill to take two players out the game before slipping the ball to Mohammed Anas, but the forward couldn’t cap off the move as he blazed well over. Khama Billiat finally forced a save from Thela Ngobeni with 25 minutes gone although the goalkeeper was equal to the challenge and was able to parry the ball to safety. And, Pitso Mosimane’s men finally made the breakthrough with virtually the last kick of the first-half, Billiat’s corner coming through to Motjeka Madisha, who powered a first-time side-footed effort into the bottom corner of the net.

Anthony Laffor almost made an instant impact from the substitute bench just five minutes after half-time but blazed wildly over after being played in behind the home defenders. The Liberian striker was again guilty of wayward finishing just after the hour mark as he once more blazed a decent chance wide before Hlompho Kekana saw his free-kick well saved by Ngobeni in goal.

Stars then had Ngobeni to thank for keeping them in with a chance with nine minutes remaining, saving point-blank from Billiat on the follow-up after Kekana’s free-kick had come back off the angle of the woodwork. The goalkeeper was having an inspired afternoon and produced another sublime save to tip Kekana’s free-kick onto the crossbar and away from danger.

TEAMS

Stars: Ngobeni, Masehe, Jantjie, Tlhone, Anas (Sekola 46'), Vilakazi (Ntuli 56'), Kerspuy, Teyise, Mashego, Venter, Dlamini.

UNUSED SUBS: Mafoumbi, Matuka, Mokhuoane, Nkausu, Maphakisa. 

DOWNS: Onyango, Madisha, Nascimento, Langerman, Morena (Ngcongca 52'), Kekana, Mohomi, Billiat, Tau, Zwane (Khumalo 84'), Mashaba (Laffor 50').

UNUSED SUBS: Mweene, Nthethe, Hachi, Zakri.