Rodgers brace sinks Polokwane

Platinum Stars poured more misery on ailing Polokwane City when they romped to a 3-1 victory in their Absa Premiership clash at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace on Wednesday.

Beanpole striker Eleazar Rodgers grabbed a brace to underline his good form, while Ndumiso Mabena also got on the scoresheet as Dikwena tore apart their opponents with some superb attacking play.

Esau Kanyenda scored a consolation goal mid-way through the second period but in truth the visitors deserved little from a clash in which they were always second best.

For City it is a sixth straight match without a win and they can be thankful for their good early season form otherwise they would be right in the relegation mix.

Stars coach Cavin Johnson opted for the twin striker partnership of Rodgers and Mabena, with an attacking formation that also included wingers Tlou Segolela and Masibusane Zongo.

And they made an excellent start too with Rodgers grabbing a goal on eight minutes as he headed in a cross from Segolela to give the home side a deserved lead.

And it was 2-0 on 18 minutes as Rodgers turned provider when he slipped the ball to Mabena and the striker calmly slotted home.

For the worst defence in the top-flight, it was another disastrous beginning to the game and coach Kosta Papic acted soon afterwards.

He withdrew Tshepo Tema and Roger Majafa just after the half-hour mark, to be replaced by Benson Mhlongo and Sipho Jembula.

Stars continued their dominance after the break and Rodgers grabbed his second as he drilled the ball home with Segolela again the provider from the righthand side.

It threatened to get ugly for City from there, but they did rally and managed to pull a goal back with 20 minutes remaining.

Kanyenda provided a neat header from Joseph Musonda’s cross into the box.

There was little further action in the remainder of the game as both teams seemed content to play out the closing minutes and settle for what they had.

Platinum Stars (2) 3 (Rodgers 8’, 49’, Mabena 18’)

Polokwane City (o) 1 (Kanyenda 70’)

Stars: Kabelo Dambe, Vuyo Mere, Thabiso Semenya, Gift Sithole, Punch Masenamela, Tlou Segolela, Robert Ng'ambi (Vincent Khumalo 58;’), Letladi Madubanya, Masibusane Zongo (Tintswalo Tshabalala 58’), Ndumiso Mabena (Mogakolodi Ngele 64’), Eleazar Rodgers

Polokwane: Modiri Marumo, Joseph Musonda, Kabelo Lichaba, Tshepo Tema (Benson Mhlongo 32’), Moferefere Motumi, Jabu Maluleke, Cole Alexander, Tokelo Langa, Roger Majafa (Sipho Jembula 35’), Essau Kanyenda, Puleng Tlolane