Amakhosi coach Vladimir Vermezovic is well aware that picking up three points in Rustenburg on Sunday afternoon when Chiefs face Platinum Stars in an Absa Premiership clash at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium.

Will be as valuable for The Amakhosi’s title challenge as would be discovering the precious metal after which Chiefs’ next opponents are identified with, for Chiefs playing at the end of the weekend where their closest title rivals Orlando Pirates and Sundowns will face off.

Could prove to work out in favour of the Amakhosi as they will be well aware that should results elsewhere go according to plan a win over Stars could see Chiefs within striking distance of the league leaders with a game in hand.

Recent History

Last season for the first time Chiefs managed to defeat Platinum Stars both home and away in the same season, Siphiwe Tshabalala was the catalyst behind the Amakhosi’s victories a season back.

Chiefs also have a good record against Platinum Stars on the road and have not lost against them in an away league game.

The Amakhosi and Stars have played each other in fifteen league games since Stars were first promoted to the PSL for the 2003 – 2004 season, eight of those games have ended in a draw seven of which were goalless stalemates, as was the case when the teams clashed earlier this season the game ended 0-0.

Current form

Chiefs were last in action on the 2nd February when they defeated Golden Arrows in Durban, their game against Moroka Swallows scheduled for last weekend was postponed to the 16th of February.

Prior to the Arrows game Chiefs had won games against Maritzburg United and Amazulu and in between drew with Bloemfontein Celtic, the Amakhosi have won three of their last five games and have drawn one and lost the other. Stars head into the game on the back of a 1 – 0 loss to AmaZulu and in their last five games have won two lost two and drawn one match.

Missing out

Once more Chiefs find themselves in the fortunate position of not having any players suspended for the game, with the unplanned break as a result of the game against Swallows being put back Amakhosi striker Kaizer Motaung JR. has been able to work his way to full fitness. Question marks still hover over the availability of Knowledge Musona for the game, Chiefs top marksman this season was injured during Chiefs victory over Maritzburg United on January 29.

Platinum Stars will be without the services of Almiro Lobo and Edward Williams for the game as the pair are suspended for the game.