Last season's league runners up Moroka Swallows began their 2012-13 season campaign on a low note losing 3-1 to Platinum Stars at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Goals from Robert Ng'ambi, Siphelele Mthembu and Benson Mhlongo ensured Dikwena bagged three points while Lerato Chabangu scored the Birds face saver. The loss was a bad start for the new Swallows coach Zeca Marques who took over from Gordon Igesund.

The hosts opened the scoring as early as the 4th minute through the head of Robert Ng'ambi. The Malawian international found himself unmarked inside the Swallows box and pounced on a Joseph Malongoane out-swinging corner kick to give Stars the lead.

The pair again combined in the 11th minute in search of the second goal. Malongoane's inch perfect cross was met by Ng'ambi whose well struck volley was blocked by Ashraf Hendricks.

Swallows waited until the 20th minute for their first real chance. Obert Moyo hacked down Siyabonga Nomvethe to give away a freekick to the vistors.

Lerato Chabangu's effort from the setpiece was saved by Siyabonga Mpontshane in the Stars goals.

Five minutes later Bennett Chenene broke loose inside the Stars box but the speedy winger watched in disbelief as the upright denied him and eventually Mpontshane recovered to send the ball out for a corner.

The debutant Mthembu increased Dikwena's lead in the 26th minute after some great work on the left wing by Ng'ambi. The former Orlando Pirates man had the easiest task of tapping the ball into the back of the net after beating the Birds' offside trap.

Gilbert Mapemba summed up a half of pulsating action with an attempt from about 20 yards but Mpontshane was equal to the challenge sending Stars to the break with a comfortable lead.

Another debutant Mhlongo added his name on the score sheet as he headed in the third goal of the day from a brilliant Elias Ngwepe cross in the 64thminute.

While still basking in the glory of their three-goal lead, Dikwena were stunned by a terrific Chabangu freekick which beat Mpontshane in the 67th minute.

In the 75th minute Stars coach Johnson substituted Ng'ambi who had a brilliant game for Patrick Malokase who wasted no time finding his feet.

The former Orlando Pirates man turned a defender inside out before disappointingly hurrying his shot wide off goalkeeper Greg Etafia's goals.

Malongoane had a chance to cap his fine performance on the day with a goal in the 87th minute but his lack of composure after he had done well to shrug off a challenge from a defender saw him shoot wide with just Etafia to beat.

The win for Dikwena will surely go a long way in boosting their confidence ahead of their away match against Bloemfontein Celtic on Wednesday night.

For the Birds, it is back to their nest to prepare for their home game against Ajax Cape Town, also on Wednesday night.