GIYANI – The Premier Soccer League rookies, Highlandspark Silver Stars, have made history by booking a place in the finals of the prestigious Coca-Cola KO Competition, when they thrashed Lamontville Golden Arrows 1-0 in a thrilling game that was played at the Giyani Stadium on Sunday.

The score was not a true reflection of the game, as it was characterised by squandered opportunities. The Limpopo outfit should have wrapped up the game within the first 20 minutes. In the first instance, their top goal scorer, Surprise Moriri went loose and shot wide with only the keeper to beat.

Dingaan Masanabo committed a similar blunder three minutes later when he received a neat pass from Jabulani Nkosi and unleashed aimlessly. The goal that booked Silver Stars a place in the finals came in the 38th minute. The Arrows' sweeper, Lesley Langa, deflected the ball back into his own net with a header while trying to pass to the keeper.

Golden Arrows came back strongly in the second half. The coach of Silver Stars, Owen da Gama, was at one stage pushed back by the fourth official, Walter Machubela, after advancing out of his technical area. The Stars regained the original tempo after replacing Dingaan Masanabo and Mangoba Mkhize with Thatho Maleka and Keketso Momotong in the 65th and 70th minutes respectively.

Arrows' top goal scorer, Mabhuzi Kanyeza, could not live up to his reputation, as he was tightly marked by Oscar Ntoakgae. The Durbanites missed a golden opportunity in the 89th minute. Their bulldozer striker, Harry Milanzi, was trapped within the box and the Cape Town referee pointed at the white spot, after a quick discussion with his assistant, Enock Molefe.

Milanzi committed a fatal blunder when his shot went far wide. The homeside missed two clear chances during the referee's three minutes optional time. Thatho Maleka dribbled past the Arrows' keeper, Francis Chansa, and suffered the pain of watching the ball missing the target by inches.