Stars went into the match on a high given their number one position on the log and Chiefs knew from the onset they had a mountain to climb. From the word go, Stars never relented in their attacks and proved quite solid in defence.

In their first real go at goal, Stars saw Tshepo Ramokala’s cross from the left on five minutes finding Marumo’s diving header but it went wide. The hosts kept pressing forward and were award a corner a minute later but Chiefs did well to clear.

Chiefs' effort on 22 minutes with Radebe’s rather tame header easily saved. Two minutes later Stars had an excellent chance from a free-kick. Joe Luphahla struck it well but Fernandez did well to save.

A dangerous cross from Luphahla on 33 minutes but Marumo could not connect to the ball.

Stars exerted some pressure with Thuso Phala taking out two Chiefs defenders on the right before firing just wide. A minute later the lanky Studzinski connected to a fine cross but his header was well captured by Fernandez.

Mototo gave away a penalty five minutes before the break as he pulled down Marumo, who had capitalized on a fine long ball from Bekithemba Ndlovu. The Stars striker dusted himself off to fire the hosts into the lead. Fernandez went to right way but the shot was simply too powerful.

Chiefs made a double substitution at the start of the second half bringing on Rotson Kilambe for Radebe and David Mathebula for Thabo Mooki.

Stars broke away and launched an attack from the back after clearing a Chiefs corner. The ball fell to Luphahla who raced through and delivered a cross to Marumo, whose shot went agonisingly wide.

An excellent run by Mototo into the Stars box on 58 minutes as he played a short pass to Obua but his effort went just above goal.

Stars went further ahead on 62 minutes following some good interchanging play. Marumo collected the ball from the middle and played it across to Luphahla on the left. The Zimbabwean then played it across to Phala, who played a dangerous ball in and Marumo slotted in for the insurance goal.

Stars then pulled off their two-goal hero Marumo on 64 minutes in favour of midfielder Stanly Kgatla as they sought to restrict Chiefs attacks. Then on 69 minutes they withdrew Ramokala on favour of Josesh Mkalipa.

A Chiefs free-kick on the edge of the box on 72 minutes. Obua’s shot his the wall and the ball fell to Zwane who lobbed a fine one to Mayo’s header, which went just wide.

Time was clearly running out and Chiefs relentlessly attacking. Mathebula laid the ball off to Mototo, who then played it across to Kilambe but his 74th minute effort went off the mark.

Zwane was then pulled off on 77 minutes with Ngobese taking his place. A minute later another Chiefs attempt went to waste with Mototo hitting the upright after collecting a cross from Tau.

Stars made a change with Solly Mathe was introduced in place of Luphahla on 79 minutes.

Chiefs reduced the deficit on 82 minutes with a fine header, which connected to a Mathebula corner.

Ngobese made a brilliant run through the middle and was fouled as he was about he enter the box. It seemed a perfected opportunity for Chiefs to equalise but Mathebula took his effort above goal and there was no way back as Stars held firm to book a place in the semifinals.

Chiefs join archrivals Orlando Pirates in the exit and they will both have to re-channel their energy on the league title race.

Three places are all booked and only one remain. The final place will be filled on Wednesday when Ajax Cape Town host Moroka Swallows in Cape Town. The draw for the Knockout semifinals will then be conducted on Thursday.

Teams:

Silver Stars: 30-W Sandilands, 2-B Ndlovu, 6-W Jackson, 3-M Khaile, 24-E Ngalo, 8-S Kgatla, 7-J Luphahla, 18-T Phala, 28-T Ramokala, 17-D Studziski, 27-H Marumo


Subs: 99-T Kapini, 9-D Masanabo, 11-K Mmotong, 12-S Mathe, 15-J Moatlhaping, 19-S Mchabe, 22-J Mkalipa

Kaizer Chiefs: 1-R Fernandez, 6-F McCarthy, 2-J Tau, 21-P Mayo, 33-D Mototo, 12-T Mooki, 13-D Obua, 8-T Nengomasha, 18-A Zwane, 17-S Bartlett, 31-D Radebe


Subs: 16-R Wuest, 4-C Nzama, 7-K Motaung Jnr, 11-E Ngobese, 22-R Kilambe, 24-D Mathebula, 44-S Mkhonza

Yellow cards: Mayo 47th, Sandilands 74th, Kgatla 85th.