Big week for Platinum and Free State Stars

Platinum Stars coach Miguel Gamondi has a score to settle when his charges host Free State Stars in what promises to be a keenly fought Absa Premiership "battle of the stars" at Rustenburg's Olympia Park stadium tomorrow.

Free State Stars beat Platinum Stars in a penalty shootout in the quarter finals of the Nedbank Cup at their Goble Park cabbage patch earlier this season.

Free State Stars are still licking their wounds after they were the victims of one of the biggest upsets in local cup history when first division giant killers, Mpumalanga Black Aces beat the more fancied Bethlehem based club 1-0 in the semi-finals of the Nedbank Cup at the weekend to set up a date with Mamelodi Sundowns in the soccer showpiece on May 24.

After hosting Free State Stars Gamondi and his charges leave for Egypt on Wednesday to prepare for their crunch at the African Champions League, third round, second leg showdown against Al Ahly at the Cairo Stadium on Sunday night.

Platinum Stars ready for Egypt
Meanwhile, Platinum Stars go to the Egyptian capital with their tails in the air after becoming the first South African team to beat the Egyptian giants and one of the favourites to lift the Champions League for a sixth time.

Platinum Stars stunned Al-Ahly 2-1 much more convincingly than the score line suggests at the Super Stadium 10 days ago. Under the Argentine born coach, Stars have gone from a relegation threatened side in December to a side that is fast earning respect on the continent. Gamondi will not be tempted to rest any key players against Stars. - Sapa