Stars outsmart the Clever Boys

Platinum Stars ran riot over expensively assembled Bidvest Wits, hammering them 4-2 in an exciting MTN8 semifinal first leg match at Royal Bafokeng Stadium yesterday.

Stars and Wits will meet again in the second leg match at Milpark Stadium on September 24 to decide the team to meet the winner between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs in the final.

Dikwena dominated the better part of the game. The Clever Boys must thank goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs, who made several dramatic saves, to ensure his side did not lose by a larger margin.

The home side were forced to make an early substitution when former Amajita star Sibusiso Msomi came on for the injured Solomon Mathe in the 10th minute.

Two minutes later, Dikwena came close to scoring when Botswana international Mogakolodi Ngele hit the crossbar with Josephs all at sea.

An unmarked Papy Faty squandered a golden opportunity to break the deadlock just before halftime when he narrowly missed the target with a header inside the penalty area.

The match remained goalless going into the break.

Wits were the first to draw blood through Ryan Chapman, who let rip a fierce shot which gave goalie Siyabonga Mpontshane no chance in the 47th minute.

The visitors' celebrations were short-lived seven minutes later when Siphelele Mthembu levelled matters after a move initiated by Ngele.

Josephs - the busier of the two goalkeepers - prevented Stars from taking the lead in the 59th minute when he stopped a thunderous shot from Msomi.

Stars finally went 2-1 ahead when Ngele beat Wits' offside trap to easily put the ball into the net with Msomi being the provider.

Mthembu completed his brace in the 70th minute after a spectacular defensive blunder from Tinashe Nengomasha, who fell inside his 18-yard area.

Mthembu collected the loose ball to hammer the third goal for his side. Three minutes later Henrico Botes converted a cross from Vuyo Mere to make it four.

Getaneh Gibeto scored Wits' second goal in the 82nd minute.

After this goal, Wits took control of the match. But the Students ran out of time and have it all to do in the second leg.