Kaizer Chiefs and Platinum Stars played to a 1-1 draw in an Absa Premiership clash at the FNB Stadium on Wednesday evening. Dikwena got somewhat lucky in front in the first half, while Hendrick Ekstein equalised for Chiefs in the 72nd minute.

Erick Mathoho returned to Amakhosi’s starting line-up after recovering earlier than expected from his injury sustained at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Edward Manqele got his first start of the season, replacing the injured Lewis Macha, while Ekstein came in for Bernard Parker compared to Chiefs’ last outing in the MTN8 quarterfinal against Cape Town City.

It was an open game with both teams coming out of the dressing room with the intention to attack. Chiefs got a few times in Platinum Stars’ box, but the visitors looked as likely to score a goal.

In the end, it was Dikwena that got the opener in the 21st minute thanks to a long range shot from Robert Nga’mbi that, according to referee Victor Hlungwani, landed behind the goalline. Television replays, however, showed that the ball landed on or maybe even slightly before the goalline.

Chiefs became the more dominant side after Stars’ goal, even though it didn’t result in any real goal scoring opportunities. The best chance game in the 41st minute for defender Mathoho, but he shot the ball straight to the goalkeeper.

Two minutes later, Edmore Chirambadare got an excellent opportunity to score his first goal wearing the Amakhosi jersey, but he failed to so.

On the other side of the pitch, meanwhile, Stars did find the back of the net, but this time the goal, netted by Henrico Botes, was ruled offside, correctly so.

Chiefs coach Steve Komphela decided to ring the changes in the second half, bringing on George Lebese for the Zimbabwean Chirambadare.

Amakhosi upped the tempo in the second half, which resulted in faster play and therefore more real threatening attacks.

On the other hand, Stars didn’t just sit back trying to defend their 1-0 lead, instead they tried to attack in numbers whenever possible.

Coach Komphela tried to change the game by bringing some fresh legs in the form of Bernard Parker and Michelle Katsvairo, making his official debut.

It helped to build further pressure on Stars’ defence, which eventually resulted in a well-deserved equaliser thanks to Ekstein, finishing well from close range.

Both sides got some chances to win the encounter, but it wasn’t to be for either side.

It means that Chiefs have now booked one point from two league clashes.

Amakhosi’s next fixture is an Absa Premiership match on the road against Highlands Park at Tembisa’s Makhulong Stadium on Wednesday, 21 September 2016.

Kaizer Chiefs (0) 1 (Ekstein 72’)

Platinum Stars (1) 1 (Nga’mbi 21’)

Kaizer Chiefs: Khune; Mphahlele, Mathoho, Gordinho, Masilela; Twala, Katsande, Baloyi (Katsvairo 68’), Chirambadare (Lebese 46’); Ekstein, Manqele (Parker 63’)

Platinum Stars: Mzimela; Mpete (Tshabalala 79’), Nhlapo, Sithole, Mnguni; Mabena (De Jongh 83’), Mere, Mathe, Msomi; Nga’mbi (Gwabeni 61’), Botes