Losing start for Kinnah/Sainfiet

Former Flames coaches Kinnah Phiri and his new Free State Stars boss Tom Saintfiet presided over a 0-1 loss to Kaizer Chiefs in the opening match for the South Africa Absa Premiership season at Charles Mopedi Stadium on Saturday.

Sainfiet replaced Kinnah as Stars head coach last month.

The Nation monitored the match on SuperSport television Channel 4.

The two men shared the bench as George Lebese struck the lone goal to hand Stars the opening loss. Kinnah is credited for saving Stars from relegation last season, but he was still demoted

Malawian striker Atusaye Nyondo, who earlier told MBC Radio 2 that he was still awaiting a work permit, was absent.

“I am ready, but I do not know when the work permit will be ready,” said Nyondo.

There was also a surprise in the South Africa league on Saturday as Platinum Stars, driven in midfield by Robert Ng’ambi, were stunned 0-2 by rookies Chippa United at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

SuperSport.com reported that Chippa got off to a great start and opened the scoring just nine minutes into the game.

Captain Andile Mbenyane beat Siyabonga Mpontshane in the visitors’ goal to make it 1-0.