Platinum Stars coach Cavin Johnson says the injury to veteran Henrico Botes played a role in his side’s 2-0 defeat against Chippa United in the MTN8 quarter-finals at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium.

The 36-year-old was forced off the field in the 34th minute and was replaced by striker Sipho Senne in Rustenburg.

Dikwena suffered a 2-0 defeat through goals in both halves of the match from Rhulani Manzini and Menzi Masuku.

Johnson says that Dikwena lost a bit of their edge when Botes was substituted in the first half but has praised the veteran striker’s effort during his time on the field.

‘It did change a lot because Henrico gives you the effort up front,’ Johnson told the Platinum Stars website.

‘He gives you the effort especially in the fact that he brings in all the other players into play. There’s no way he is going to give up in a tackle. He gets in and gets up and carries on again. We lost that bit of effort in the game.’

The former SuperSport United boss hopes to keep his men active in the FIFA break ahead of Stars’ next league clash with Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium on September 14.

Dikwena’s defeat mean that they will not be participating in competitive football for two weeks due to the international break and the MTN8 semi-finals.

‘It’s a bad break. You have got to stay in the competition to stay active. We have got to find different ways of playing now in order to stay competitive. If we do that we will be okay when we play against Kaizer Chiefs in two weeks’ time,’ he added.

‘They are professionals. They have to come to the fore and say you know what if I did x, y and z, I would have been better. Hopefully, we are able to get it right and shine against Chiefs.’

Platinum Stars will now return to the Absa Premiership when they face Kaizer Chiefs at the FNB Stadium on September 14.

Kick-off has been set for 19:30.