Kaizer Chiefs’ unbeaten Absa Premiership record came to an end at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Saturday afternoon when they went down 2-0 to Platinum Stars.

Amakhosi had the first chance of the game when in the fifth minute a free-kick rebounded off the wall. Siphiwe Tshabalala’s miscue fell to Lehlohonolo Majoro, but he shot straight at keeper Siyabonga Mpontshane.

It was, however, Stars who were to draw first blood when after 15 minutes Botes ran onto a flicked pass from Thuso Phala in the box and finished expertly into the bottom corner.

The lead was doubled in the 26th minute when Botes turned provider, floating a superb ball into the box, which was played across by Edward Tshabalala and turned into goal by Ngele, who would depart the action with an injury 15 minutes later.

Chiefs appeared to be denied what would have been a clear goal-scoring chance in the 44th minute when Majoro looked to be headed for goal, but he was flagged down for a questionable off-side call.

Dikwena though could have had a third goal in injury time, but Botes was unfortunate to see his bicycle kick coming back off the woodwork.

The first 25 minutes of the second half saw the game deteriorating as Chiefs’ desire to come back into the game was cancelled out by Stars’ determination to hang onto their lead, which meant that clear chances on goal were a rarity.

Innocent Mkhabela had a good chance to make it three for Stars as he broke through on goal before losing his marker, but he shot straight at Khune.

As the match entered the final 15 minutes the Soweto side began to find more rhythm and fluency, but it was not reflected in their finishing as Tshabalala blasted a free kick wide and Nkatha failed to hit the target from 35-yards out when there were better options available.

There was a late chance for Willard Katsande from range, but he shot wide as the home side were able to hold on fairly comfortably for the three points.

The result takes the team from the North West up to third spot above Maritzburg United for the time being and leaves them five points behind log leaders Kaizer Chiefs.

Kaizer Chiefs (4-4-2): Khune, Gaxa, Zvasiya, Mashamaite, Masilela (Ritchie 64’), Lebese (Nkatha 46’), Nkosi (Baloyi 46’), Katsande, Tshabalala, Parker, Majoro