FC Basel beat Phungo All Stars 1-0 in a thrilling Safa Limpopo second-division game that was played at the Eltivillas grounds on Saturday.

Basel deserved the victory, as they were dictating terms in all departments. The players who continuously gave the Stars defence a tough time were Velile Mdaka and Louis Chauke.

Tshifhiwa Mmbooi, a defender of Basel, was booked for an illegal tackle on Ivan Mahangwahaya. The Stars' keeper, Timothia Bapela, denied the opponents several sure goals through his acrobatic goalkeeping.

Stars were the first to effect a change to their original squad. They introduced Ndivhuwo Masakona for Mahlatsi Moloto early in the second half. Basel responded by replacing Lucky Mkhari with Khanukani Mawela in the 64th minute.

The introduction of Mawela changed the flow of the match initially, as he dished dangerous passes to the front runners. The only goal of the day was scored by Velile Mdaka. He tried his luck from the 35m area. The Stars keeper misjudged the flight of the ball and it hit the back of the net.