Platinum Stars

	Latest News
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 Platinum Stars would like to correct a report that appeared in the Soccer Laduma newspaper on Wednesday, September 1. The erroneous report claimed that the club had sent midfielder Ryan Botha for further medical tests ahead of the new campaign amid fears that he is not over his previous injury problems. This is totally untrue and the club would like to state that the player is ready to take the field when called upon by coach Owen da Gama. Botha, along with a number of his teammates, underwent preventative testing to ensure that the chance of possible future injuries is minimised. This kind of preventative assessment is standard and is in no way indicative of any injury problems the player might have, as was alluded to in the Soccer Laduma report.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 Platinum Stars hosts Mamelodi Sundowns in their first home fixture of the 2010/11 Absa Premiership season at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Wednesday evening. Dikwena showed tremendous character to twice come from behind in their 3-2 victory over Mpumalanga Black Aces in the season opener on August 29. They will now be looking to build on that result as they welcome The Brazilians to Phokeng, with new man Derrick Spencer in line to make his Stars debut against his former club. Spencer only joined Dikwena from Sundowns just days before the transfer window closed at the end of August. “It is highly ironic that my debut for Stars will be against Sundowns. I know everything about them and will hopefully try and use that insight to good effect against them. Beating them in my first game for my new team will be a major bonus” Spencer says. “I feel good, both physically and mentally. There is room though for me to improve my physical conditioning. I like the coaching and football philosophy of Owen Da Gama and it has not taken me long to gel into the way of the team. “I watched the Aces game and it was important we got the three points and we did. he team had to comeback twice and we scored late which shows the spirit that exists here. If there is something we need to do better it is to improve our defensive performance.” Thuso Phala, who netted against Black Aces, is another who is set for a quick match-up against his former employers, having returned to Stars from Sundowns last month. Missing from the match will be young midfielder Joseph Malongoane, who sits out the final game of a suspension that was carried over from last season. But on a brighter note, Mozambican international Almiro Lobo is back from his suspension, while Zimbabwean goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini is available to play after he finally received his work permit last week. Kapini was replaced by new recruit Siyabonga Mpontshane in goals for the game against Black Aces, but is likely to win his place back again and face Sundowns. “We are looking forward to our first home game of the season, especially against such a top team as Mamelodi Sundowns,” team manager Obed Legobate says. “We need to carry on from where we left off against Black Aces and the boys are now full of confidence going into this one.” Sundowns won their Absa Premiership opener when they beat Moroka Swallows 2-0 after a late brace of goals from Zimbabwean Nyasha Mushekwi.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 There was mixed success for Platinum Stars’ contingent of internationals in the African Nations Cup qualifiers at the weekend. Fullback Miro (Almiro Lobo) was cautioned as Mozambique got their campaign off to a goalless start at home in Group C against Libya in Maputo on Sunday. Henrico Botes started upfront for Namibia in their match-up in the Gambia but they were hammered by their hosts, conceding three goals in the first half hour. There was a late consolation for the Brave Warriors but they have had a long and disappointing journey back from west Africa.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 With the close of the transfer window, Platinum Stars have finalised their squad for the first half of the 2010/11 Absa Premiership season. There have been several new arrivals, including the likes of Ryan Botha, Bongani Zulu (loan), the exciting Mduduzi Nyanda (loan), Phelelani Mpangase, Derrick Spencer and Siyabonga Mpontshane, all adding options for coach Owen da Gama. Coupled with the retention of experienced stars such as Mbulelo Mabizela, Dillon Sheppard, Stanley Kgatla and Almiro Lobo, and this is a squad with an exciting blend of youth and experience. Stars got their campaign off to the perfect start with a 3-2 win away at Mpumalanga Black Aces on Sunday, and now look forward to their first home game of the campaign as they host Mamelodi Sundowns on September 8. PLATINUM STARS SQUAD – 2010/11 SEASON Henrico Botes Ryan Botha Coldrin Coetzee Bradley Grobler Stanley Kgatla Almiro Lobo Mbulelo Mabizela David Makgale Mamadimo Masenya Mzikayise Mashaba Vaughan Miller Joseph Mkalipa George Mofokeng Joseph Molangoane Phelelani Mpangase Siyabonga Mpontshane Sibusiso Msomi Mduduzi Nyanda Thuso Phala Lebo Ramolesa Mbhuyiselo Sambu Kagiso Senamela Tshiamo Seneo Dillon Sheppard Derrick Spencer Reuben Thebakang Dino Visser Edward Williams Bongani Zulu
MONDAY, AUGUST 30 Platinum Stars have begun their 2010/11 Absa Premiership campaign with a thrilling 3-2 victory away at Mpumalanga Black Aces on Sunday afternoon. It is a tremendous result for returning coach Owen da Gama, who saw his side show guts and character to twice come from behind before sealing the win late on. Mpho Maleka scored a brace for the home side, while Thuso Phala, on his 'second debut' netted Dikwena's first and youngster Sibusiso Msomi the second, before substitute Coldrin Coetzee popped up with a late winner in injury-time for the visitors. Maleka put Black Aces ahead on 11 minutes as he headed home Marco da Silva's cross. But Stars were on level terms midway through the opening period as Phala, who only recently returned to the club after an absence of three seasons, headed home from a long throw. Some slack defending from the visitors saw Maleka break through two tackles before beating a woefully exposed Siyabonga Mpontshane in the Stars goal. But Stars were level again just after the break as Msomi provided as excellent finish from Henrico Botes' knock-down on the edge of the area on 52 minutes. The game looked to be heading for a stalemate before Coetzee popped up with the winner. Msomi provided the cross from the left and Botes played the ball into the path of Coetzee, who stabbed the ball home. It is a great three points for Dikwena, who will now be looking forward to their next Absa Premiership outing at home to Mamelodi Sundowns at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on September 8.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 28 Platinum Stars would like to send its heart-felt condolences to the family of Oscar Ntwagae, who was killed in a traffic accident on Friday evening. Reports say the 33-year-old was knocked down by a car in Germiston after attending training at Jomo Cosmos. The entire Platinum Stars family would like to offer our condolences to Oscar's loved ones. Oscar was a true professional and a wonderful man and he will be sorely missed by us, having been a friend to many. Ntwagae joined Platinum Stars in their first season in the Absa Premiership in the 2003/04 campaign, making his top-flight debut against Black Leopards in a 1-1 draw in August 2003. After offering excellent service to the club, he left for Mamelodi Sundowns in 2005 and had three seasons there, before a brief spell with SuperSport United. He returned to Stars ahead of the 2008/09 campaign, but was released from the club at the end of the last campaign.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 27 Platinum Stars have made four additions to their squad this week as coach Owen da Gama builds for the new Absa Premiership season. Midfielder Thuso Phala returns to the team he left three years ago after signing a three-year contract. Phala came through the junior ranks at Stars before moving to Kaizer Chiefs in 2007. He spent two seasons as Naturena before heading north to join Mamelodi Sundowns before the 2009/10 campaign. But after seeing his game-time limited with The Brazilians, the 24-year-old has opted to reunite with Da Gama at Dikwena, adding competition to the right-wing berth. Former national Under-17 and Under-20 international Lebo Ramolesa has also signed after leaving Bloemfontein Celtic at the end of last season. Ramolesa was a junior with SuperSport United and Kaizer Chiefs, as well as a product of the School of Excellence, and had an extended trial with Dikwena, though coach Da Gama knows him well from their time together at Celtic. Rising star Mduduzi Nyanda has joined Stars on a year-long loan deal from Orlando Pirates. Nyanda is a junior international at Under-20 level and was also part of the South African side that took part in the 2009 COSAFA Senior Challenge last year. The defensive midfielder is a hot prospect for the future and will be given a chance to get some valuable Premiership experience with Dikwena. Finally, Da Gama has added strength in the goalkeeping department by signing Siyabonga Mpontshane from First Division Nathi Lions. The 24-year-old will compete with the Zimbabwean Tapuwa Kapini and Dino Visser for a place in the starting XI.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 27 Platinum Stars open their 2010/11 Absa Premiership campaign with an away fixture against Mpumalanga Black Aces at the Puma Rugby Stadium in Witbank on Sunday. There have been lots of changes at Dikwena since the end of the last campaign, with a return for coach Owen da Gama, as well as a number of new playing personnel arriving at the club. A change of training facilities and a new PUMA kit add to the feeling of a new dawn at the club, and after the hard yards that have been put in during the pre-season campaign, the start of competitive action will be something of a relief to the players. “It is great to get the season under way and we are excited about the challenges ahead,” Da Gama says. “Black Aces have a very new team and will be something of an unknown for us, but must simply concentrate on our own play and make sure we execute our plans to perfection. “I am pleased with the arrival of the new players at the club and we are starting to get strength in depth in a number of positions. We have been handed a tough start to the season, but we need to have the belief that we can go to Witbank and get a result.” Indeed, both teams will be looking for an improved season after Black Aces only survived relegation via the play-offs, though they too have had an overhaul of their playing staff, with some 16 new arrivals at the club. Stars will be missing three key players, Almiro Lobo and Joseph Malongoane are out with suspensions that are carried over from last season, while striker Bradley Grobler has a groin strain that will keep him out of the fixture. Midfielder Ryan Botha and defender Edward Williams are also doubtful for the game through injury. For their part, Black Aces are confident of a win, but have acknowledged that Stars will present a challenge. "The first match of the season is mostly difficult. It is a hard match for us, but we are more than ready for Platinum Stars," coach Akis Ayiomamitis told the club's website. "We have a fairly 'new' team, however, once we get past the first match – things will run smoothly. The new players have adjusted to the way I want them to play – entertaining football. We obviously want to consolidate our position in the league by winning as many matches as possible." This fixture finished 1-1 last season, though both teams will perhaps not be content with a draw this time round.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 20 Platinum Stars coach Owen da Gama is looking forward to the new season after returning to the club at the beginning of the month. Da Gama is in his second spell with the team after first serving as head coach between 2000 and 2007, but knows that his initial task is to rebuild the squad before he can start think about winning trophies. “First of all we have here a club that finished near the relegation zone last season and so therefore something certainly was not right. When I look at the average age, then it is quite high. The first thing is to try and get in some young legs, some youth. Then to try and build a good foundation,” Da Gama says. “I’ve only had two weeks so far with the players but we’ve worked very hard. I’ve had to combine the pre-season with getting fit and ready and assessing players. It’s been quite a challenge. We have been fortunate in being able to play against clubs like SuperSport United in friendlies and we certainly have managed to get a lot of game time in. “There are certain weaknesses that we hope to still rectify before the seasons and hopefully we can do so with one or two acquisitions. I’d like to bring in players at all levels. At least five more.” With just a short amount of time to work with the players before the new Absa Premiership season starts with an away trip to Mpumalanga Black Aces on August 29, Da Gama says the aim is to make the team competitive as quickly as possible. “I think we will be very competitive. Firstly we have to compete with any team we play against. The style will develop as the season goes on. With new players and a change of approach, the style will be defined eventually,” he says.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18 Phokeng, Wednesday, 18 August 2010 - Platinum Stars have continued to build for the new season with the arrival of two more players to add to coach Owen da Gama’s squad. Stars have struck a deal with League champions Supersport United for the outright purchase of Phelelani “JJ” Mpangase and the loan capture of promising youngster Bongani Zulu. The duo will add depth to the defence of the club. Mpangase has signed a two-year contract with Dikwena and can play either as right back or in the centre of defence if needed. The 26-year old rose to prominence with First Division Nathi Lions and was brought into the top-flight by Mamelodi Sundowns ahead of the 2008/09 season. After some fine showings for The Brazilians, he was snapped-up by Supersport United and helped them win the Absa Premiership last season, though injury curtailed his campaign. He now has the chance to cement his place as a regular PSL starter with Dikwena. “I am excited to be joining such an ambitious club and hope to be able to contribute to their success this season. Coach Owen da Gama is one of the best in the PSL and I know I can improve my game under his guidance. I look forward to getting to know the Platinum Stars fans and cannot wait for the new season to start,” Mpangase says. Defender Zulu signed on a one year loan, is highly-promising youngster who at just 19 years of age is still very much learning his craft in the PSL. He is very well regarded at Supersport though having come through the club’s prodigious academy and spent some time on loan at Mpumalanga Black Aces last season. “This is a great place to come and learn for a young player like me, because of the facilities they have here at the Bafokeng Sports Campus. It feels good to be joining Platinum Stars and I am ready to do my best for the year that I am here and give my all for the team”, Zulu says. The players will now be aiming to get into Da Gama’s first starting X1 of the season as Platinum Stars kick-off their Absa Premiership campaign away to Mpumalanga Black Aces on August 29. Issued by: Maggie Sekoto Forever Marketing Cell: 082 902 3780 FOREVER MARKETING MAY NOT BE QUOTED ON BEHALF OF PLATINUM STARS On behalf of: Jason Raine Platinum Stars – General Manager Cell: 082 869 3380