Stars's smash and grab stuns Kaizer Chiefs

25 January 2016 - 02:04 By MARK GLEESON

Eleazar Rodgers's two goals in the last five minutes saw Platinum Stars turn the tables on Kaizer Chiefs and snatch victory at the Cape Town Stadium yesterday. It was a remarkable heist that left the champions an uncomfortable eight points behind Absa Premiership leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.Rodgers's diving header at the end of a clever counter-attack in the 86th minute and a rebound in stoppage time gave Stars their first win of the year in a 2-1 triumph.It came after their goalkeeper Mbongeni Mzimela had kept them in the game with some outstanding saves as Chiefs looked odds-on favourite to win, having led at the break. Amakhosi, playing their second of three matches at their second "home", had hoped to appease their fans.But Stars had other ideas. The two late goals came after they had struck the woodwork three times.Chiefs survived an early scare when Stars centre back Isaac Nhlapo hammered his header against the crossbar as he rose to meet Mduduzi Nyanda's corner after eight minutes.Within a minute Ndumiso Mabena went narrowly wide with a rasping shot as Chiefs took some time to settle into the game.But clever combination play between Siphiwe Tshabalala and Reneilwe Letsholonyane tested Stars in the midfield and kept them on the back foot. William Thwala, on his full debut, struggled to fit in the rhythm while George Maluleka was let down by a heavy touch.The goal, however, came from a free kick swung in from Tshabalala that Abraw headed down and then watched as it bounced deceptively over Mzimela.The Stars goalie atoned for the mistake with two great stops from Maluleka early in the second half.Chiefs were perfectly placed to put the game beyond Stars but Mzimela proved a deserved man of the match. Bonginkosi Ntuli hit the crossbar in the 55th minute and then again two minutes later.Robert Ngambi came on to add a bit more guile but Chiefs continued to be enterprising. Mzimela saved Tshabalala's shot in the 85th minute. And then came the two hammer blows to end Stars's five-match winless streak.At Loftus Versfeld Stadium, University of Pretoria did enough to register a 1-0 victory over title hopefuls Mpumalanga Black Aces, reports Tshepang Mailwane.It's been a horrible season for AmaTuks, who remain second from bottom despite the victory.Malawian striker Atusaye Nyondo scored his first goal of the season from close range after his strike partner Thabiso Nkoana played in a cross from the right.Aces remain in third place.At Buffalo City Stadium in East London, Chippa United run out 3-1 winners against Ajax Cape Town. Travis Graham put the visitors in front, but goals from David Zulu, Joseph Molangoane and Xola Mlambo sealed victory...

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