As Amakhosi left the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, they did it with the hope that when they return to Rustenburg in six days, for their ABSA Cup semifinal clash against Sundowns their next visit will be just as successful as it was on Sunday.

Chiefs had to labour hard on Sunday afternoon to come from behind to gain their first victory in four matches and Chiefs first win over Silver Stars this season. When Amakhosi met Stars earlier in the season, Stars inflicted upon them what has been Chiefs only home defeat in the league so far this season.

Many of the sceptics believed that Stars would achieve the double over Amakhosi this season. For those scribes hoping to fill the Monday morning newspapers with a shock result, were given the perfect ammunition as Stars took the lead after only eight minutes, when former Chiefs player Junior Khanye collected the ball from a throw in and played a pass to Stanley Kgalta who shot from distance to beat Fernandez and give Stars in the lead.

In truth, that was as good as it got for Stars as Chiefs began taking control of the game and ran Stars ragged from then onwards, as Stars hardly looked a shadow of the enterprising and exciting team that they were when they beat Chiefs in November. Stars joy was short lived as Chiefs were back in the game eight minutes later when a Chiefs free kick rebounded off the Stars wall. Stand-in captain Fabian McCarthy back tracked and picked up the loose ball. He then sent in a telling cross in to the Stars 18 yard box which fell favourably for Patrick Mayo, who struck the ball across the face of goal to beat Wayne Sandilands and level matters. The first half ended 1-1.

At the start of the second half, Ernst Middendorp introduced Thabo Mooki who made his 350th appearance for Chiefs; the veteran Mooki was quick into action as most of the spectators had hardly returned from the interval break when Chiefs struck. Jimmy Tau was played into space and after beating two defenders who skipped past Sandilands and blasted the ball home to give Chiefs the lead. From than onwards it was mainly one way traffic as Amakhosi spurned a host of opportunities that could have cost them dearly. Rowen Fernandez made a number of close range saves from the boot of Stars second half substitute Dingaan Masanabo who was proving a handful for Chiefs. At the death Chiefs could have made the score line look a bit more healthy. Songwe Chalwe was denied by the post.

Victory over Silver Stars has allowed Ernst Middendorp and company to lay the Ghost of November to rest. The game also served as the perfect warm up for Saturday's upcoming ABSA Cup semifinal against Sundowns. Chiefs will be hoping for a repeat result on Saturday when they will be back at the Bafokeng Stadium.

Line Up’s:

Silver Stars:

30. W. Sandilands, 6. W. Jackson, 3. L. Mogaila, 2. B. Ndlovu, 8. S. Kgatla,

14. Z. Ngalo, 4. O .Radebe (9. Masanabo 71 min), 27. M. Khaile,

22. J. Mkhalipa (25. Loape 77 min), 12. J. Khanye (11. Mmotong 54 min),

21. K. Mashego




Substitutes: 31. W. Tsotsetsi, 15. B. Bukara, 39. L. Mohlala, 25. M. Loape, 11. K. Mmotong, 9. D. Masanabo, 38. E. Mashao




Coach: Owen Da Gama

Kaizer Chiefs: 1. R. Fernandez, 21. P. Mayo, 6. F. McCarthy, 2. J. Tau,

13. D. Obua (19. Kubeka 82 min), 24. D. Mathebula, 33. D. Mototo, 18. A. Zwane,

11. E. Ngobese (12. Mooki 46 min), 25. G. Schalkwyk, 20. L. Agyemang (10. Chalwe 34 min)




Substitutes: 30. T. Mathibe, 12. T. Mooki, 8. T. Nengomasha, 27. G. Sibeko, 10. S. Chalwe, 9. S. Djiehoua, 19. N. Kubeka




Coach: Ernst Middendorp

Yellow Cards: Silver Stars: 24. Zamuxolo Ngalo 22 min, 21. Katlego Mashego 67 min


Kaizer Chiefs: 6. Fabian McCarthy 63 min, 10. Songwe Chalwe 77 min


Referee: J. Nhlapo


Assistant 1: G. Piedt


Assistant 2: A. Rezeers


4th Official: S. Rapetswa