CAF Confederation Cup
Result: CS Sfaxien 3-0 Platinum Stars
Date: 04 June 2017
Venue: Stade Taïeb Mhiri
Platinum Stars remain winless in the CAF Confederation Cup group stage, after they suffered a 3-0 loss to CS Sfaxien at the Stade Taïeb Mhiri on Sunday evening.
The home side carved out the first opening of the game after six minutes but Ala Marzoughi fired wide from 12-yards out.
Sfaxien eventually took advantage of their good start as they took the lead through Kingsley Sokari, with Stars goalkeeper Steven Hoffman failing to collect a tame effort from 20-yards out.
Robert Ng'ambi looked to pull Stars level in the 17th minute, but his long range effort was palmed away by Rami Jeridi.
The hosts were then awarded a penalty in the 26th minute when Siyabonga Zulu brought down Meher Hanachi. Karim Aouadhi stepped up and converted the spot-kick, 2-0.
Dikwena, meanwhile, struggled to get the ball off the home side and spent most of the first half chasing after the ball.
Nevertheless, the score remained 2-0 to Sfaxien at the halftime break.
Just over seven minutes in the second half, the lead was extended as Hanachi headed home past a helpless, after an error from Zulu.
Cavin Johnson opted for his first change after 66 minutes as Tintswalo Tshabalala made way for Neo Links.
Stars started seeing more of the ball after 70 minutes with Ndumiso Mabena and Bongi Ntuli threatening in the final third, but they failed to bypass the home side's defence.
Hoffman came to Dikwena's rescue in the 81st minute, as he produced a fine save to deny Hanachi from point-blank range.
Sfaxien managed to see out the closing stages with relative ease to hold on for the win, as Stars' hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages continue to fade.
Here's how they lined up:
Stars: Hoffman, Mnguni, Mwedihanga, Mlilo, Zulu, Tshabalala (Links 66'), Mathe, Ng'ambi, Mabena, Ntuli, Shilongo (Senne 82').
